Lyall’s Carrot

Botanical name: Anisotome lyallii
Common name(s): Lyall’s Carrot

Plant facts:
A striking coastal and subantarctic New Zealand perennial herb with large fern-like divided foliage and branching stems of delicate white flowers. This robust member of the carrot family is specially adapted to cool windswept southern coastlines and peaty cliff environments, where it forms lush green clumps amongst coastal turf and herbfields.

Natural habitat:
Occurs naturally on steep coastal cliffs, peaty ledges, coastal herbfields, boulder falls, dunes, and exposed southern shorelines near sea spray.

Growing environment:
Full sun, Cool conditions, Moist soil & Coastal tolerant.
Prefers permanently moist peaty soils with cool temperatures and excellent drainage.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand.
Found along the southern Fiordland coastline, Stewart Island / Rakiura, Solander Island / Hautere, and the southern South Island coast.

Height:
Approximately 50–80 cm tall when flowering

Width:
Approximately 40–60 cm across

Flowering:
Late spring to summer
Produces branching clusters of white flowers from November to January.

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

Uses:

• Coastal and alpine gardens
• Subantarctic native collections
• Architectural foliage plant
• Moist peaty garden plantings
• Native herbfield restoration

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A robust perennial herb forming spreading leafy clumps with upright branched flower stems.

Leaves:
Leaves are deeply divided and fern-like, ranging from bright green to dark green. Leaflets are leathery and irregularly toothed or lobed, creating a lush textured appearance.

Flowers:
Produces numerous delicate white flowers arranged in umbrella-like compound umbels held above the foliage on stout pale-green stems.

Fruit:
Fruits are ribbed winged mericarps adapted for wind dispersal in exposed coastal habitats.

Ecology:
A highly specialised coastal herb adapted to cool wet southern environments, salt-laden winds, and exposed sea cliffs. Often grows close to the spray zone in sparsely vegetated coastal habitats.

How to grow:
Best grown in full sun with permanently moist but free-draining peaty soil. Particularly suited to cool coastal gardens, alpine beds, and southern-climate native plantings. Dislikes prolonged heat, humidity, and drying conditions. Performs best in cooler south-facing sites with consistent moisture and good airflow.

Propagation:
Easily propagated from fresh seed or rooted divisions. Seed germinates best under cool moist conditions.

Garden value:
An outstanding foliage and flowering perennial for cool-climate native gardens. The deeply divided foliage and elegant white flower heads create a refined subantarctic appearance, especially effective amongst rocks, gravel, and moisture-loving alpine plants.