Aromatic Aniseed

Botanical name: Anisotome aromatica
Common name(s): Aromatic Aniseed, Common Aniseed, Kopoti

Plant facts:
A highly variable and aromatic New Zealand native perennial herb belonging to the carrot family (Apiaceae). This species forms low spreading rosettes of divided foliage and produces delicate white umbrella-like flower clusters above the leaves. The foliage is strongly scented when crushed, giving rise to its common name. Naturally occurring from coastal to alpine environments, it is especially valued for rock gardens, alpine plantings, and native herb collections.

Natural habitat:
Occurs naturally in open grasslands, herbfields, rocky places, screes, cushionfields and exposed alpine environments from coastal to subalpine habitats.

Growing environment:
Sun, Open ground, Free draining & Cool conditions tolerant.
Prefers cool well-drained conditions with low competition and good airflow.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand.
Distributed throughout both the North and South Islands, with different regional forms and varieties occurring from lowland coastal areas through to alpine zones.

Height:
Approximately 10–50 cm tall depending on variety

Width:
Approximately 10–50 cm across

Flowering:
Spring to summer
Produces small white umbrella-shaped flower heads from October to February.

Fruiting:
Summer to autumn
Winged fruits mature from November to April and are dispersed by wind.

Uses:

• Alpine and rock gardens
• Native herb gardens
• Scree and gravel plantings
• Coastal native gardens
• Ecological restoration
• Botanical collections

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A small to medium-sized perennial herb forming spreading basal rosettes with slender flowering stems.

Leaves:
Leaves are pinnate and highly variable depending on form and habitat. Foliage ranges from rounded and fan-shaped to deeply divided or finely segmented. Leaves are often dark green, leathery or membranous, and aromatic when crushed.

Flowers:
Produces delicate white flowers arranged in compound umbels held above the foliage on slender stems.

Fruit:
Small ribbed winged fruits split into paired mericarps and are dispersed by wind.

Ecology:
A naturally variable species complex adapted to a wide range of habitats from coastal grasslands to alpine screes. Winged seeds are dispersed by wind, allowing colonisation of exposed rocky environments.

How to grow:
Best grown in full sun with excellent drainage and cool conditions. Particularly suited to alpine troughs, rock gardens, scree beds and open native plantings. Avoid heavy wet soils and excessive humidity. Most forms prefer low fertility soils and good airflow around foliage. Plants are generally hardy once established and tolerate frost, wind and exposed conditions well.

Propagation:
Usually grown from fresh seed. Seed germinates best in cool conditions with natural temperature fluctuations. Some forms can also be propagated carefully by division.

Varieties and forms:
This species contains several naturally occurring varieties showing major differences in leaf form, growth habit and habitat preference. Some forms produce broad fan-shaped leaflets while others have finely dissected alpine foliage.

Garden value:
An attractive and unusual native herb that adds fine texture and seasonal flowers to alpine and native gardens. Especially valuable for recreating natural New Zealand alpine and subalpine plant communities.