Aciphylla colensoi

Aciphylla colensoi is a species of Aciphylla, commonly known as giant speargrass, Spaniard, or its Māori-language name taramea. Individual plants may be up to 90 cm in diameter and half as high, and consist of sharp spines, all pointing out from the centre. Yellow flowers may also be present, located on long, strong stems. A. colensoi can be found in both main islands of New Zealand, typically in altitudes from 900 to 1500 m.

Taxonomy & naming
Joseph Hooker first described the plant in 1864. The specific epithet, colensoi, honours William Colenso.

Distribution
It is found on both the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

Conservation
The decline of A. colensoi due to browsing from rabbits was noted as early as 1883.