Aciphylla squarrosa

Botanical name: Aciphylla squarrosa

Common name(s): Common Spaniard, Speargrass

Plant facts:

A striking and widespread New Zealand speargrass forming dense spiky tussocks of bluish-grey foliage. This hardy species is famous for its sharp divided leaves and dramatic flower spikes, making it one of the country’s most recognisable alpine and coastal plants.

Natural habitat:

Found in a wide range of habitats including coastal cliffs, open scrub, grasslands, and montane environments.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Endemic to New Zealand. Found from Mount Hikurangi south through much of the North Island and northern South Island to the Kaikōura Ranges.

Height:

Up to 1 m tall

Flowering:

October – December with green to pale yellow flowers

Fruiting:

November – March

Uses:

• Architectural landscape feature
• Coastal and alpine plantings
• Dryland native gardens
• Tussock and restoration projects
• Habitat plant for native insects including the speargrass weevil

Appearance:

Growth habit:
Forms large dense tussocks with rigid sharply pointed foliage radiating outward from the centre.

Leaves:
Leaves are bluish-grey to grey-green, heavily divided, and armed with long sharp tips. Mature plants produce dramatic spiny rosettes that can dominate exposed landscapes.

Flower stems:
Produces tall ridged flowering stems carrying clusters of small greenish-yellow flowers. The flowering bracts often become strongly reflexed as they mature.

Fruit:
Develops dry winged fruits adapted for wind dispersal.

How to grow:

Thrives in full sun and free-draining soils. Extremely hardy to drought, frost, wind, and coastal exposure once established. Ideal for dry native landscapes, rocky slopes, and alpine gardens. Allow plenty of room due to the sharp foliage.