Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Apiales Nakai
Family
Umbelliferae
Genus
Aciphylla J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Aciphylla crenulata J.B.Armstr., N.Z. Ctry. J. 3: 56 (1879)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Aciphylla lyallii var. crenulata (J.B.Armstr.) Cheeseman, Man. New Zealand Fl. 211 (1906)
Lectotype (designated by Oliver 1956): Arthurs [Arthur’s] Pass, JB Armstrong s.n., 1869, [ex ‘CM’, CHBG] CHR 634512 Note: CHR 634512 is the only specimen known to match the details of the protologue–‘From the Rakaia and Waimakariri Sources. J.B.A’.–although the protologue refers to ‘our specimens’.
 Description

Slender, forming rather lax tufts, up to ± 6 dm. tall. Lvs long, flexible, rather flaccid, pinnate, up to 15 cm. × 5 mm. Sheaths broad, thin; stipules slender, spinulose. Primary pinnae (1)–2–3–(4) pairs, linear, 5–15 cm. × 2–5 mm.; midrib often bright red; margins thickened, finely crenulate, tapering to pungent point. Stems of male plants very slender; infl. elongate, dense-fld but more open than in female, 1–3–(4) dm. long. Bracts ∞, spreading; sheaths short, membr.; stipules short, pungent; lamina slender, up to 4cm. long. Umbels and umbellules on long slender rays. Stems of female plants slender, with infl. up to ± 6 dm. long. Lowest bracts often empty; peduncles and rays long, slender. Fr. c. 4mm. long; mericarps 4–5-winged.

[From: Allan (1961) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 1.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Bibliography
Armstrong, J.B. 1879: Descriptions of some new native plants. New Zealand Country Journal 3(1): 56–59.
Cheeseman, T.F. 1906: Manual of the New Zealand Flora. Government Printer, Wellington.
de Lange, P.J.; Gosden, J.; Courtney, S.P.; Fergus, A.J.; Barkla, J.W.; Beadel, S.M.; Champion, P.D., Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Makan, T.; Michel, P. 2024: Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 43. [Not threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Not Threatened]
Perrie, L.R.; Glenny, D.S.; Shepherd, L.D. 2025: Taxonomic synopsis of Aciphylla (Apiaceae): accepted species, nomenclature, and hybridisation. New Zealand Journal of Botany: 1–41 (online) . (Published online: 21 May 2025 https://doi.org/10.1080/0028825X.2025.2498442)