Campbell Island Carrot

Botanical name: Anisotome latifolia
Common name(s): Campbell Island Carrot

Plant facts:
A spectacular giant subantarctic megaherb endemic to New Zealand’s Auckland and Campbell Islands. This dramatic perennial herb forms massive leathery divided leaves and towering flower stems topped with clusters of pale creamy-pink flowers. One of New Zealand’s iconic megaherbs, it is specially adapted to cold, wet, windswept subantarctic environments and is highly prized in specialist native and alpine collections.

Natural habitat:
Occurs naturally in coastal to montane subantarctic environments including peaty slopes, tussock grasslands, megaherb fields, rocky ground, wet flushes, and open scrub.

Growing environment:
Cool conditions, Moist soil, Shelter & Free draining tolerant.
Prefers permanently damp peaty soils, cool climates, and protection from heat and drying conditions.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand.
Restricted to the Auckland Islands and Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku in the subantarctic region.

Height:
Up to 2 m tall when flowering

Width:
Up to 1 m across

Flowering:
Spring to summer
Produces large branching umbels of creamy-white to pale pink flowers from October to February.

Fruiting:
Summer to autumn
Winged fruits mature from January to March and are dispersed by wind.

Uses:

• Subantarctic and alpine gardens
• Specialist native plant collections
• Architectural foliage plant
• Bog and peaty garden plantings
• Botanical conservation collections

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A massive robust perennial herb forming large leafy clumps with tall flowering stems.

Leaves:
Leaves are large, leathery, and deeply divided into broad toothed segments. Foliage ranges from yellow-green to dark green and creates a bold sculptural effect.

Flowers:
Large compound umbels carry numerous pale creamy-pink to off-white flowers on stout pale-green stems rising high above the foliage.

Fruit:
Produces ribbed winged mericarps adapted for wind dispersal across exposed subantarctic landscapes.

Ecology:
A characteristic component of New Zealand’s subantarctic megaherb communities. Adapted to cold, wet, windy climates with low competition from trees. Seeds are dispersed by wind.

How to grow:
Best grown in cool climates with deep permanently moist but free-draining soil rich in organic matter. Thrives in peaty conditions and benefits from shelter from excessive heat and humidity. Particularly suited to cooler southern gardens, bog gardens, and alpine collections. Struggles in hot humid climates and may suddenly collapse if subjected to prolonged heat or drought.

Propagation:
Easily propagated from fresh seed sown into cool moist growing media. Seedlings prefer consistently damp cool conditions and resent drying out.

Garden value:
One of New Zealand’s most dramatic foliage plants and a true subantarctic megaherb. The huge divided leaves and towering flower stems create a bold tropical-alpine appearance unlike almost any other native species. Particularly stunning when combined with other megaherbs and moisture-loving alpine plants.