Please select root levels for the menu
NZ Plants
Aciphylla dieffenbachii - Dieffenbach’s speargrass, soft speargrass
Celery family: Apiaceae
-
Plant
L Jensen
View picture -
Stem
L Jensen
View picture -
Leaf sheath
L Jensen
View picture -
Leaf, top view
L Jensen
View picture -
Leaf, side view
L Jensen
View picture -
Leaflets
L Jensen
View picture -
Leaflet tip
L Jensen
View picture -
Leaflet upper surface
View picture -
Leaflet upper surface, detail
L Jensen
View picture -
Leaflet lower surface
L Jensen
View picture -
Flower arrangement
L Jensen
View picture -
Flower arrangement
L Jensen
View picture -
Flower arrangement, single umbel
L Jensen
View picture -
Flower, partially open
L Jensen
View picture -
Flower, open
L Jensen
View picture
Aciphylla dieffenbachia is a small perennial with basal leaves. Leaves are divided several times into soft, bluish-green leaflets. Named after the German physician, geologist and naturalist, Johann Karl Ernest Dieffenbach (1811-1855) who travelled widely in New Zealand under the auspices of the New Zealand Company.
An endemic species found in coastal areas on the Chatham Islands.
Vegetative characteristics |
Reproductive characteristics |
|---|---|
Plant form: perennial herb, with flowering stem up to 1 m |
Arrangement of parts: symmetric |
Flower size: 2-4 mm diam. |
|
Leaf form: divided into 4-5 soft leaflets with blunt tips |
Sepals: 5 |
Leaf size: 50-70 cm with ultimate leaflets 4-9 cm |
Petals: 5, yellow |
Leaf arrangement: basal, singly on stem |
Sexuality: unisexual on different plants |
Leaf attachment: sheath at leaf base; stipules |
Stamens: 5 |
Leaf margin: smooth |
Ovary: below petals |
Leaf surface: hairless |
Fruit: dry |
