Limestone Aniseed

Botanical name: Gingidia enysii var. enysii
Synonyms: Ligusticum enysii, Anisotome enysii, Gingidium enysii var. enysii, Gingidium enysii var. spathulatum, Gingidia enysii var. spathulatum
Common name(s): Limestone Aniseed

About:
A compact and distinctive alpine herb confined to limestone country in Canterbury. Gingidia enysii var. enysii forms neat, low circular tufts of fleshy blue-grey foliage, with finely divided leaves that have the characteristic aromatic scent associated with many members of the carrot family. During spring and summer, slender flowering stems rise above the foliage carrying small compound umbels, followed by orange-brown to brown fruits. It is a highly localised endemic currently classified as Threatened – Nationally Endangered.

Natural habitat:
Naturally restricted to montane limestone outcrops and associated talus slopes, generally at elevations up to approximately 700 m. It favours open, sparsely vegetated sites where competition from surrounding plants is limited.

Plants are particularly associated with limestone solution features, including the tops of limestone karren, shallow depressions, rock stacks and towers.

Growing environment:
Frost, sun, wind, drought & free draining tolerant. Strongly associated with limestone and calcareous substrates. Requires excellent drainage, good light and low competition from surrounding vegetation. It dislikes prolonged humidity, excessive shade and persistently wet soils.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. In its strict taxonomic sense it is known from a very restricted area of inland Canterbury, including Castle Hill, Flock Hill, Prebble Hill, Cave Stream and Broken River.

Height:
Foliage approximately 10 cm tall and wide, with flowering stems reaching approximately 5–17 cm tall.

Width:
Approximately 10 cm, forming compact circular patches.

Flowering:
October–January.
Produces small flowers arranged in compound umbels on slender stems rising above the foliage. Each inflorescence may carry 1–4 compound umbels, with individual simple umbels containing approximately 5–12 flowers.

Fruiting:
November–May.
Produces small, narrowly ovate to oblong fruits approximately 2.5–5 mm long. They mature through light orange-yellow and orange-brown to brown, sometimes developing a purple tinge.

Uses:
• Specialist native alpine gardens
• Limestone and rock gardens
• Alpine troughs and containers
• Conservation collections
• Educational native plant displays
• Restoration within appropriate limestone habitats
• Feature planting amongst limestone and other pale rock

Appearance:
Growth habit:
A stout, tufted perennial herb forming small, neat circular patches approximately 100 × 100 mm. Unlike some related alpine herbs, the base generally remains relatively clean rather than accumulating conspicuous masses of old dead foliage.

Leaves:
Leaves are fleshy, distinctly glaucous blue-grey on both surfaces and approximately 30–100 mm long by 8–30 mm wide. They are usually once pinnate, although occasionally twice pinnate.

Each leaf carries approximately 2–10 pairs of closely arranged leaflets. Individual leaflets are about 3–12 mm long and may be simple or shallowly divided into several rounded segments. The overlapping segments are cut no more than about one-third of the way towards the midrib, an important characteristic distinguishing this variety from Gingidia enysii var. peninsulare.

Flowers:
Slender flowering stems approximately 50–170 mm tall emerge above the foliage. The flowers are arranged in compound umbels typical of the Apiaceae family, giving flowering plants a delicate appearance in contrast with their stout, fleshy leaves.

Fruit:
The fruits consist of paired mericarps approximately 2.5–5 mm long. They are narrowly ovate to narrowly oblong and become dull orange-yellow, orange-brown or brown at maturity, sometimes with purple colouring. Five distinct ribs run along the surface, while the oil ducts are dark brown to almost black.

Ecology:
This species is highly specialised for open limestone environments. Its compact growth, fleshy glaucous foliage and preference for exposed rock habitats allow it to survive in sites with shallow soils, strong sunlight, wind and periodic moisture stress.

The winged mericarps are dispersed primarily by wind, allowing seed to move between suitable cracks, depressions and exposed areas of limestone.

Its naturally open habitat makes the species particularly vulnerable to competition. Introduced grasses and other vigorous weeds can shade plants, occupy suitable establishment sites and alter the character of the naturally sparse limestone vegetation.

The 2023 New Zealand Threat Classification lists Gingidia enysii var. enysii as Threatened – Nationally Endangered, with the qualifiers Conservation Dependent (CD) and Range Restricted (RR).

Associated habitats:
Montane limestone outcrops, limestone karren, rock stacks, limestone towers, talus and scree slopes, shallow rock depressions and sparsely vegetated calcareous ground.

Its natural communities are characteristically open, with exposed limestone and only scattered low-growing herbs and grasses.

How to grow:
Best grown in full sun in an exceptionally free-draining, lime-rich growing medium. A gritty mix incorporating limestone chip or other suitable calcareous material closely replicates its natural conditions.

Avoid rich soils and vigorous surrounding plants, as Gingidia enysii performs poorly when overshadowed. Good air circulation is particularly important, and plants should not be kept in humid, stagnant conditions.

Although adapted to exposed sites, it should receive adequate moisture during active growth while never being allowed to remain waterlogged. Regular applications of lime have been reported to benefit cultivated plants.

It is well suited to a raised rock garden, alpine trough or container where drainage, competition and soil chemistry can be carefully controlled.

Propagation:
Readily propagated from fresh seed. Sow into a very free-draining, gritty medium and maintain good light and ventilation. Incorporating lime or finely crushed limestone into the growing medium may help reproduce the naturally calcareous conditions in which the species occurs.

Because wild populations are threatened and geographically restricted, plants or seed should only be obtained from legally propagated and appropriately sourced cultivated material.

Cultural use:
No specific traditional Māori uses for Gingidia enysii var. enysii are widely documented. Its greatest contemporary significance lies in the conservation of New Zealand’s distinctive limestone flora and the specialised plant communities of inland Canterbury.

Garden value:
A particularly attractive specialist native for gardeners interested in New Zealand alpine and limestone plants. Its compact habit and unusual glaucous blue-grey foliage provide year-round interest, while its fine flowering stems add seasonal detail without overwhelming the plant.

Its small size makes it especially suitable for alpine troughs, raised rockeries and specialist collections. Because of its Nationally Endangered status, cultivated plants also have considerable conservation and educational value when maintained from appropriately sourced material.