Fierce Speargrass

Botanical name: Aciphylla ferox

Common name(s): Fierce Speargrass, Taramea

Plant facts:

One of New Zealand’s largest and most intimidating speargrasses, forming massive clumps of sharply pointed foliage. This dramatic alpine species is highly adapted to exposed mountain environments and is well known for its rigid spines and bold architectural form.

Natural habitat:

Occurs in low alpine grasslands, herbfields, mixed snow tussock communities, and subalpine scrub.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Endemic to the South Island of New Zealand, from Nelson and Marlborough south to North Canterbury.

Height:

Up to 1 m tall, with large spreading tussocks

Flowering:

November – January (occasionally into February)
Produces tall yellow flower spikes.

Fruiting:

January – March

Uses:

• Architectural alpine feature plant
• Dryland and alpine restoration planting
• Traditional taramea species
• Habitat plant for alpine ecosystems

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A very large tufted herb forming dense bright green clumps, either solitary or in small groups.

Leaves:
Leaves are long, rigid, and sharply pointed with serrated margins. Unlike some related speargrasses, the leaves have long petioles so only the upper section is divided into spiny segments.

Flower stems:
Massive grooved flowering stems emerge above the foliage carrying numerous clusters of yellow flowers. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants.

Fruit:
Produces small winged fruits adapted for wind dispersal across exposed mountain habitats.

How to grow:

Requires full sun and excellent drainage. Best suited to dry alpine gardens, gravel plantings, and exposed landscapes. Extremely hardy to frost and wind once established but requires space due to its formidable spines.