Aciphylla squarrosa

Native to New Zealand found in both North Island and South Island in coastal to low-alpine areas. It can withstand temperatures down to -28° C. It forms a dense cluster up to 1 m tall of spiky three-pinnate leaves. The narrow blue-green leaves are highly divided with rigid serrated or crenulated margins and midrib and with pungent tips. These will pierce tramping boots. During November to January sweet scented star-shaped yellow flowers on compound umbels are carried on a stalk up 1 m tall. These stalks are also covered in razor sharp spears presumably as a defence against animals. The name is derived From the Latin acicula ';needle' and the Greek phyllum 'leaf', meaning needle-leaf.

Requires cold stratification and germination can take over a year.