Aciphylla squarrosa
| Aciphylla squarrosa | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 8' |
| Width: | 5' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Mid Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Aciphylla squarrosa (common name: speargrass)
Propagation: Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[1]. Stored seed should be sown in a greenhouse in late winter or early spring. Germination can be very slow. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter before planting them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cultivation: Requires a perfectly drained gritty soil in full sun[1]. Easily grown in a moist but well-drained soil in full sun[2].
Hardy to about -10°c according to one report[1] whilst another says it is hardy to about -15°c[2].
Dioecious but female plants have occasional male flowers[1]. Male and female plants must normally be grown if seed is required. The flowers are sweetly scented[2].
Range: New Zealand.
Habitat: Found from sea-level to montane areas in North and South Islands to latitude 41° 30' south[3].
Edibility: Root - cooked. Aromatic[4]. A very good taste[5][6].
The resin is used as a chewing gum[4].
Shoots and young stems[4]. No further details.
Usage: The plant yields a semi-transparent resinous gum that is edible and also used in perfumery[7].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Dioecious
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Allan, Harry. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer Publications, 1961.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Laing, Robert. Plants of New Zealand. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd, 1907.