Botanical name:

Anisotome lyallii

Common name(s):

Lyall’s carrot

About:

A coastal plant native to the Fiordland region, forming a wide clump up to 45cm tall and over 1 meter across. It features finely divided deep green leaves, with white flower heads appearing in summer on stems reaching 30–60cm tall. Best grown in a semi-shaded position with deep, moist, but well-drained soil for optimal growth.

Natural habitat:

Coastal. On steep, south facing, sparsely vegetated cliffs, and in coastal turf, herb-field and on damp peaty ledges. Sometimes in coastal grassland, on boulder falls and even on sand dunes and beaches. In all its habitats it always found near the sea often within the spray zone.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Salt, Coastal, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s South, Stewart, and Solander Islands. Present along the Fiordland coast from Jacksons Bay to Puysegur Point. Also found from Nugget Point to South Head. On Stewart Island known from western and southern coastline. Common on Stewart Island.

Height: 45cm

Flowering:

November – January with a white coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

January - March

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food & Riparian plantings

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed and rooted pieces. Prefers a sunny situation. It should be planted in a deep, permanently moist, peaty soil. This species does not like humidity and hot climates, and does best in a south facing or cool site, even though for it flower it needs full sun for most of the day.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. Sow seed direct & keep moist until germination is complete.