Flora of New Zealand Series

parsnip palm

Erect biennial or perennial. Stems up to 2 m high and 4 cm diam., woody and leafless in lower parts with distinct lf scars, with pith in centre and hollow in parts. Stem lvs with fine hairs on rachis and midribs, otherwise glabrous, 2-3-pinnate (seedling lvs 1-pinnate); ultimate segments ovate to lanceolate, pinnatisect or not lobed, serrate, 15-20 mm long, shortly petiolulate or sessile; lvs of infl.-branches much reduced; petiole sparsely to moderately hairy, striate. Umbels up to 20 cm diam.; rays numerous; bracts 10-12, narrowly ovate-lanceolate, sometimes serrate, up to 5 cm long; bracteoles 7-12, lanceolate. Fls numerous, white to purplish. Fr. dark brown, sparsely hairy, 12-18 mm long.

N.: Auckland City, Gisborne City, Omata (Taranaki), Wellington City; S.: Nelson City, Otago Peninsula, Invercargill to Bluff; St.: Halfmoon Bay.

Madeira 1969

Established locally as a garden escape in waste places, around deserted gardens, and at forest margins.

FL Nov-Jan.

This is an unusual sp. quite unlike any other N.Z. umbellifer with its spreading palm-like crown of lvs and stout woody stem. It is usually monocarpic and seeds freely. Parnsip palm has recently become much more frequent in cultivation.