| Aciphylla simplex
Aciphylla is a most unusual genus of plants, native to New Zealand with one exception. It belongs in the Apiaceae and is thus related to carrot, parsley, dill, celery etc. In appearance however, Aciphylla has little in common with these vegetables but rather has thick, very hard, spiky foliage in rosettes much more reminiscent of certain Agave or Yucca. A. simplex is a dwarf species that forms very dense cushions to 60 cm (2 ft.) in diameter but only about 10 cm (4 in.) high. The individual, tiny rosettes are made of simple, undivided, hard and rigid, blade-like, blunt-pointed leaves. It is found in southern part of the South Island of New Zealand in open situations, often on rocky outcrops, between 1500 and 1800 m (5000 and 6000 ft.). In cultivation it will do best in cool or cold temperate climates, where it requires a sunny or only lightly shaded spot. It does not like high summer temperatures and is a perfect replacement for Agave and Yucca in such climates. A. simplex prefers lightly acidic soils. For best germination results, keep seeds after sowing at around 20ºC (68ºF) for two to four weeks, then expose to light frost for about a month, finally keep around 10ºC (50ºF) for germination. This process simulates winter and is required to break down germination inhibitors. Germination may occasionally still take months, sometimes over a year before sprouting. | 
