Woolly Anisotome

Botanical name: Anisotome pilifera
Common name(s): Woolly Anisotome

Plant facts:
A robust alpine perennial endemic to New Zealand’s South Island, valued for its bold deeply divided foliage and clusters of white flowers. This hardy mountain herb is adapted to exposed rocky environments and often develops a softly hairy or woolly appearance, reflected in the species name pilifera, meaning “hair-bearing”.

Natural habitat:
Occurs naturally in subalpine and alpine herbfields, fellfields, screes, rocky slopes, and exposed mountain environments of the South Island high country.

Growing environment:
Full sun, Excellent drainage, Frost hardy & Alpine tolerant.
Prefers cool open conditions with gritty free-draining soils and low humidity.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand.
Found in alpine and subalpine regions of the South Island, particularly around Canterbury, Aoraki / Mount Cook, Otago, and inland mountain ranges.

Height:
Approximately 15–60 cm tall

Width:
Forms compact clumps up to approximately 40–60 cm across

Flowering:
Summer
Produces clusters of white flowers on stout branched stems during the warmer alpine season.

Fruiting:
Late summer to autumn
Produces winged fruits dispersed by wind.

Uses:

• Alpine and rock gardens
• Scree and gravel plantings
• Native alpine collections
• Botanical and conservation gardens
• High-country restoration plantings

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A stout perennial herb forming dense leafy clumps from a thick woody crown.

Leaves:
Leaves are leathery and highly variable, ranging from coarsely toothed to deeply divided or pinnatisect. Foliage is dark green to glaucous above and paler beneath, often with fine hair-like extensions on the leaf lobes.

Flowers:
Flowers are white and carried in compound umbrella-shaped clusters above the foliage on stout grooved stems.

Fruit:
Fruits are ribbed winged mericarps adapted for dispersal by alpine winds.

Ecology:
A specialised alpine species adapted to intense sunlight, freezing temperatures, strong winds, and nutrient-poor rocky soils. Its compact growth and leathery foliage help it survive harsh exposed mountain conditions.

How to grow:
Requires full sun and exceptionally well-drained gritty soil. Best suited to alpine gardens, raised scree beds, troughs, or rockeries where moisture drains freely away from the roots. Prefers cool climates with good airflow and dislikes humidity, prolonged wetness, or heavy soils.

Propagation:
Usually propagated from fresh seed sown into a gritty alpine mix. Germination can be slow and benefits from natural cold conditions.

Garden value:
An outstanding alpine foliage plant with a bold sculptural appearance. Particularly effective amongst rocks and gravel where its deeply divided foliage and white flower umbels provide strong contrast and texture.

Conservation status:
At Risk – Declining
Wild populations are threatened primarily by browsing animals and habitat disturbance in alpine environments.