Aciphylla subflabellata

A. subflabellata is one of the larger species in the genus Aciphylla, and it contains clear exudate. This species is a perennial herb that forms stout rosettes of spiky leaves reaching 50—80 cm. The leaves are distinctive for being fan-like and flattened: the leaf pinnae are set close together, and are roughly in the same plane as the leaf axis. It is a "spear grass" with stems that can grow to 80 cm, producing a dense rosette at the top. These stems are arranged in a subfellate to pinnate shape and tend to be a yellow - green colour. The stems are 25 mm in diameter with a 2 cm sheath that parts into 2–4 ligules. Each ligule then contains leaflets that can grow to 25 cm long and 3 mm thick. The overall plant can grow to 1 metre in height. The flowering stem is up to 1 m tall and 25 mm wide, with a 50–60 cm inflorescence. The yellow flowers appear from December to February, and the wind-dispersed seeds in February to May.

In his description Oliver noted that this species was most similar to A. squarrosa in its narrow leaves and downturned terminal bract segments, but the finely-toothed terminal bracts are much longer (up to 30 cm) and the leaves are always bipinnate. A. subflabellata has more finely-divided and flattened leaves than A. squarrosa, and is usually much smaller.

A. subflabellata is endemic to New Zealand and only found on the eastern side of the South Island, from south-eastern Marlborough to Southland and from 300–1,400 metres (980–4,590 ft). It prefers dry subalpine sites, and is sometimes found amongst rocks. There are a few areas within Canterbury where speargrass is found, including Banks Peninsula. A. subflabellata has been grown by people from seed and planted on Banks Peninsula to help restore it.

A. subflabellata produces flowers during the summer months of December–February. These yellow flowers are then pollinated by insects during a synchronised pollination period. A. subflabellata is a dioecious plant, so there are both male and female plants. Between February and May, after pollination, fruit is produced. When these fruits are dried, they crack and fall apart. The seeds are then dispersed by the wind. Speargrass is easy to grow and grows relatively quickly. Once A. subflabellata has been planted, it is best not to replant or disturb the roots.

Māori use species in Aciphylla to make perfumes. Māori collected the resin from the two species that they were able to identify; small and large taramea. Typically, only the larger Taramea would be used to make perfume. The resin collected could also be used as a medical remedy. Taramea is now classified as taonga under the 1998 Ngāi Tahu Treaty of Waitangi.