Aciphyllas

[P. Kohn]

At Kerrachar we grew a range of aciphyllas alongside Celmisias and a few other New Zealanders and the bed was really enjoyable looking much the same for twelve months of the year. I would love to reproduce this but there seem to very few supppliers of any Aciphylla species in the Plant Finder and many of those I previously grew are no longer available. Has any one any advice about sources. I would also appreciate hearing about other people's experiences with the genus.

[P. Kohn]

Thomas from Germany emailed me but I have had a computer problem and lost his address. Please email me again, Thomas.

[David Lyttle]

It would depend on which species you were interested in growing.The genus is quite diverse with large species like Aciphylla scott-thomsonii being up to 2 metres tall and smaller species such as Aciphylla monroi being < 10cm. The larger species produce abundant seed which germinates freely when sown fresh. However they tend not to flower every year so in some years there is very little seed produced. The smaller species tend to have restricted localised distributions so seed is not so readily available and being smaller plants there is less produced.

[Leucogenes]

Hi David

Your explanations are as always very informative. Unfortunately very sobering. It is as always...the particularly beautiful things are particularly rare.
 
Fact is...everyone who offers such seeds becomes a rich man. I would spend a fortune. 😎😎

Another question for the specialist...my specimen of A. monroi bloomed this year. Are several plants needed for the production of germinable seeds? Or can I hope for propagation?

Thomas

[David Lyttle]

Hello Thomas,

Aciphylla has males and female flowers on separate plants. You would need both a male and female plant to get viable (or any) seed. Aciphyllas have deep taproots. They do not like being disturbed. Even pricking out a batch of seedlings can result in losses. Hope that helps.

[Leucogenes]

Hello David

Even though this information means that it is pointless to hope for the germination of the collected seeds, thank you very much.

This is one of the many NZ plants I have lost this year. But the beautiful memories remain.