Description
Aciphylla – Bayonet plant – Speargrass – Spaniard –
There are about 40 species of perennials, in this genus. Although they look like grasses they are not related to grasses. Derives from New Zealand and some species are form Australia, found in alpine areas or windswept open grasslands at lower attitudes. With a taproot supporting rosettes of flattened linear leaves that are deeply divided, almost to the base with narrow leaves almost like grass blades with vicious spines at their tips. Strong long spine stems rise just above the blades bearing masses of small white or yellow-green star shaped flowers protected by spiny bracts.
Cultivating small ones are easy the larger one is prone to sudden collapse outside their natural environment. They need full sun, moist, but well drained, fertile, humus rich, gritty soil deep enough to allow the vertical root to grow. Leave dead leaf blades in the clump it acts like insulator.
Prone to slug damage.
Achiphylla glaucescens – Growing 3’ feet tall and just as wide, this species derives from New Zealand. A rosette forming perennial with very narrow, long, strap-shaped, 3 pinnate spine tipped silvery-gray leaves. With prominent midribs with toothed edges and stipules divided into 3 unequal lengths. From early to late summer it bears yellow-green flowers.
Zones 8-10
