Aciphylla aurea
| Aciphylla aurea | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Genus: | Aciphylla |
| Species: | A. aurea |
| Binomial name | |
| Aciphylla aurea W.R.B.Oliv. | |
Aciphylla aurea is a species of Aciphylla, commonly known as golden speargrass or golden Spaniard. Individual plants may be up to 100 cm (39 in) tall, and consist of sharp spikey yellowish-green leaves. A. aurea is found throughout the South Island of New Zealand, usually in mountainous areas but also lower altitude dry well drained grassland sites. It is found in altitudes from 300 to 1,500 m (980 to 4,920 ft).
The aurea part of the name refers to the distinctive golden colour of the plant.
Golden Spaniard flowers from January to February with a yellow or cream colour. The flowerhead is very spikey, quite large and solid.