Aciphylla colensoi Hook.F.

Forming small to rather large tufts, with us. stout stems sts up to ± 1 m. tall. Lvs ± 3-5 dm. long, pinnate; occ. 2-pinnate lvs are present. Sheaths up to c. 6 × 3 cm. long, rather thin; stipules stiff, simple or occ. with accessory smaller pinnules, up to ± 7 cm. × 4 mm., tapering to pungent apex; petioles up to c. 10 cm. long, stout, winged; lower internodes up to ± 3-4 cm. long. Pinnae 2-4 pairs, slender strongly serrulate; midrib broad, prominent, red to orange; lower laminae up to 20-40-(45) cm. × ± 12 mm., narrowing to pungent apex. Infl. narrow-oblong. Lower bracts with sheath ± 30 × 12 mm., tapering to long pungent tips; lamina ribbed, ± 10 cm. × 3-4 mm., with stout prominent red to yellow midrib, with pungent point up to ± 3 mm. long. Umbels crowded, from near base to apex of peduncles; umbellules crowded, on slender rays to ± 1 cm. long; Fr. c. 8 mm. long. mericarps 4-3-winged. Vittae 2-4 per furrow. 5-6 commissural

It grows naturally in New Zealand in mountain and sub-alpine altitudes in North and South Islands between latitudes 38° and 43° 30' south. It prefers a well drained gritty soil. It does best where damp air is common. Once established they can stand temperatures down to-10°C. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

The root is cooked and eaten. It yields a gum used as a chewing gum.

Plants can be grown from seed. Seed are slow to germinate. They can be transplanted when small.