The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Species

Aciphylla similis

Etymology

Aciphylla: From the Latin acicula 'needle' and the Greek phyllum 'leaf', meaning needle-leaf.
similis: similar to another species

Common Name(s)

None known

Current Conservation Status

2012 - Not Threatened

Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2012 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2009 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, Paul D. Champion, Shannel P. Courtney, Peter B. Heenan, John W. Barkla, Ewen K. Cameron, David A. Norton and Rodney A. Hitchmough. File size: 792KB

Previous Conservation Status

2009 - Not Threatened
2004 - Not Threatened

Authority

Aciphylla similis Cheeseman

Family

Apiaceae

Flora Category

Vascular - Native

NVS Species Code

ACISIM

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Herbs other than Composites

Synonyms

None

Distribution

Endemic. South Island, along the main divided from the Lewis Pass south to the Two Thumb Range. Also found in Westland on mountain ranges such as the Hohonu.

Habitat

Subalpine to alpine (900-1100 m a.s.l.) in open ground, usually in Rytidosperma dominated grassland or amongst open tall tussocks, often found in such vegetation types in ablation hollows or on stony well drained soils.

Features

Rosettes clustered in groups of 10 or more, up to 200 mm diameter. Leaves up to 230 mm long, yellow-green, more or less rhombic on outline, coriaceous, with 6-7(or more) leaflet pairs, mainly in one plane; sheath 60 x 6-15 mm, sheath joint evident; stipules 40 x 1 mm, petiole 80 x 4 mm, concave or flat above, margins rounded, pulvinus up to 5 mm long, conspicuous; lowermost leaflet up to 65 x 3-3.5 mm, apex acute, spine 2 mm long, midrib obscure, marginrib 0.2 mm wide, veins scarcely raised. Inflorescences broad. Female inflorescence up to 400 mm long, stem 300 x 5.5 mm, yellow or brown, head 100 x 90 mm, profile somewhat obdeltate; compound umbels up to 14, arranged in 2-3 whorls, with the terminal umbel the largest ; lower bracts 55 mm long with a subtending sheath 23 x 6 mm, stipules and 2 pairs of leaflets; upper bracts smaller, undivided with stipules. Lower compound umbels up to 80 mm long, peduncles 60 x 1 mm, primary bracteoles simple, 10 x 0.5 mm; simple umbels 7 or less, peduncles 16 x 1 mm; secondary bracteoles simple, 6 x 0.5 mm, bearing 12 or less flowers per umbel, pedicels 3 x 0.2 mm. Sepals 0.6 mm; petals 1.2 x 0.6 mm, cream or pale yellow, not inflexed; staminodes 0.3 mm long. Male inflorescences 300 mm or less, stem 170 x 4 mm, yellow; head 130 x 90 mm, ovate, more or less terete; compound umbels about 10, 2-3 whorled, terminal umbel > than lower laterals; bracts similar to female inflorescences; lower compound umbels 90 mm or less, peduncles 70 x 2 mm; primary bracteoles 15 x 1.5 mm; 15 or less, undivided, peduncles 10 x 1 mm; secondary bracteoles 5 x 0.2 mm; umbels bearing 15 or less flowers; pedicels 3 x 0.1 mm or less. Sepals 0.6 mm; petals 1.5 x 1 mm or less, cream or pale yellow, not inflexed; stamens 2 mm long. Mericarps 4.2 x 1.6 mm, dull pale brown, lateral ribs 0.3 mm wide; style up to 1.3 mm long.

Similar Taxa

Most readily confused with A. monroi Hook.f. which is mainyl found further north and east of the main range of A. similis. Both species overlap north and east of the Lewi Pass where disticntions can sometimes be blurred (possibly due to hybridism). From A. monroi , A. similis differs by its larger leaves (up to 230 cf 180 mm) and inflorescences (up to 400 cf 300 mm long). A similis also has more and broader leaflets (6-7 pairs cf. 4-5) that are yellow-green rather than grey-green (sometimes tinged yellow), and which are flattened in one plane rather than leaves whcih are somewhat folded upwards.

Flowering

November - February

Flower Colours

Cream,Yellow

Fruiting

December - April

Propagation Technique

Easily grown in pots in an alpine house and does well in most situations except in climates prone to high humidity. Requires a free draining soil and a sunny situation, flowers best following a cold winter.

Threats

Not Threatened

Chromosome No.

2n = 22

Endemic Taxon

Yes

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

Life Cycle and Dispersal

Winged schizocarps are dispersed primarily by wind (Thorsen et al., 2009).

This page last updated on 12 Nov 2014