Aciphylla scott-thomsonii, taramea, or giant spaniard is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. It is found in subalpine scrub, mixed snow tussock scrub, herb-field or grassland on permanently moist sites from 600 – 1200m asl. Aciphylla scott-thomsonii is a member of the carrot family, and is the largest and most fierce of New Zealand’s spear-grasses. It grows into a large single clump, or in small groups from a divided crown of a large taproot, with large, pointed and sharp glaucous leaves that can be up to 1m+ in length. The yellowish margins of the leaves are very finely serrated. Male flower heads are distinctly broader and more colourful than the female flowers that occur on separate plants, with masses of flowers that are borne on 3m+ tall flowering spikes from December through January (February).