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Aniseed

Gingidia grisea

At Risk - Naturally Uncommon

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Gingidia grisea is a tap-rooted perennial herb of the carrot family (Apiaceae) found only in north-eastern Otago. It forms rosettes of three to five pinnate leaves whose rounded to diamond-shaped leaflets are coated in a dense grey-green waxy bloom, the source of the name grisea, meaning pearl-grey. Umbels of tiny white flowers flushed pink appear in early summer. Only about 15 populations are known, from near Herbert south to Mt Watkin near Waikouaiti and west to Macraes Flat, all on open cliffs and talus. It was only recognised as a distinct species in 2004 and is ranked At Risk - Naturally Uncommon. Explore more native flowering plants in our native plant guide.

Aniseed (Gingidia grisea) in its natural habitat
Image credit: Aniseed (Gingidia grisea) - photo by Wikipedia contributors, via Wikipedia

Plant Description

Gingidia grisea is a hairless, tap-rooted perennial herb. Each plant forms a rosette of three to five imparipinnate leaves on petioles 70 to 300 mm long. The leaves have four to seven pairs of stalkless, rounded (orbicular) to diamond-shaped (rhomboid) leaflets, and both surfaces carry a dense glaucous bloom that gives the plant its distinctive grey-green colour.

The species is gynodioecious: some plants bear only female flowers, while others bear male and bisexual flowers. Compound umbels hold 7 to 28 small umbels, with broad-elliptic, narrowly pointed bracts. Petals are white flushed pink; female flowers are 1.5 to 3.5 mm across and male or bisexual flowers 2.6 to 4.2 mm. Flowering runs from November to January and the brown, ovate mericarps (about 4 mm long) ripen from December to April.

It is most similar to Gingidia montana, but is separated by its grey-green leaves heavily coated in bloom on both sides and by its broad-elliptic, long-pointed secondary bracts. On female plants the inflorescences are often hidden among the rosette leaves.

Quick Facts

Gingidia grisea quick facts
Scientific Name Gingidia grisea
Height Low rosette; leaf stalks 7-30 cm long
Spread Single rosette, roughly 20-40 cm across
Water Needs Low to moderate; dislikes humid, wet conditions
Light Full sun, open exposed sites
Frost Tolerance Good; grows in inland Otago hill country
Salt Tolerance Moderate; reaches coastal headlands at Shag and Moeraki Points
Growth Rate Moderate
Lifespan Perennial

Climate Best Suited to

Suits the dry, sunny eastern Otago climate with cold winters and relatively low humidity, from coastal headlands to inland hill country.

Regional Suitability

City suitability for Gingidia grisea
City Climate Suitability
Auckland Low
Wellington Medium
Christchurch High
Dunedin High

Plant Habitat

Gingidia grisea is endemic to the South Island and confined to north-eastern Otago. Its roughly 15 populations stretch from near Millhouse (Herbert) south to Mt Watkin (Waikouaiti), inland to Macraes Flat and out to the coast at Shag Point and Moeraki Point.

It grows on cliffs and talus slopes on base-rich igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, always in open sites with little competing vegetation.

Growing Requirements

Soil Requirements

Its natural soils are thin, stony and base-rich, and NZPCN recommends a free-draining but fertile soil in cultivation.

  • Stony or gritty, very free-draining soil
  • Moderate fertility; base-rich rock such as limestone chips suits it
  • Avoid heavy clay that stays wet

Light Requirements

It needs open, sunny conditions like its cliff and talus habitats.

  • Full sun
  • Exposed sites with good air movement

Water Requirements

Water moderately to establish, then keep on the dry side; humidity and wet foliage are its main enemies in cultivation.

  • Water deeply but infrequently in dry spells
  • Avoid overhead watering in humid weather

Planting and Establishing

Choose a sunny, exposed rockery, scree bed or raised bed where water drains away quickly. A deep pot is also suitable, as the taproot needs room to grow down.

Plant in autumn or spring, keeping the crown slightly above the surrounding soil and surrounding it with gravel or stone mulch to keep the leaves dry.

Ecological Role

Its separate female and male or bisexual plants mean cross-pollination is needed for seed set, which is carried out by small insects visiting the open umbels. Detailed studies of its pollinators have not been published.

It is a specialist of open cliff and talus communities, which are easily overrun by weeds once disturbed. These rock habitats in eastern Otago also support other uncommon plants and native lizards and invertebrates.

Uses & Significance

Garden Uses

An attractive foliage plant for dry rock gardens in eastern South Island gardens.

  • Scree and rock gardens
  • Deep containers on sunny, airy patios
  • Conservation plantings of Otago flora

Ecological Value

As a narrow-range endemic it is an important component of north-east Otago cliff vegetation.

  • Endemic to a small part of Otago
  • Nectar and pollen for small native insects
  • Indicator of intact, weed-free cliff and talus habitat

Landscaping Uses

The silvery grey-green rosettes contrast well with dark stone and with green-leaved natives, so place it where the foliage can be seen against rock or gravel.

Combine with other dry-loving natives such as small tussocks, Raoulia mats and Pimelea in a sunny scree garden.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Spring

New grey leaves emerge from the crown and flower stems start forming.

  • Weed around the rosette
  • Apply a light grit top-dressing

Summer

Flowers open from November to January, then seed develops.

  • Water only in prolonged drought
  • Watch female plants, whose flowers hide among the leaves

Autumn

Brown mericarps ripen through to April.

  • Collect and sow seed fresh
  • Remove spent stems after seed fall

Winter

The plant persists through cold winters, with growth largely paused.

  • Keep crown free of fallen leaves
  • Ensure drainage stays clear

When to Prune and How Much

Pruning is limited to removing spent flower stems and old dead leaves. Clearing dead material from the rosette improves air flow, which matters for a plant that dislikes humidity.

Do not attempt to divide or cut back the crown, as the plant relies on a single taproot.

How to Grow Aniseed

Gingidia grisea is grown from seed. NZPCN reports that it grows readily from fresh seed and does well in a sunny, exposed position in free-draining, fertile soil. Because individual plants are either female or male and bisexual, seed is only produced when both kinds of plant grow close together, so keep several plants in cultivation. Its long taproot makes division unreliable. Wild populations are few and declining, so do not collect from the wild without permission from DOC and landowners.

From Seed

The brown mericarps ripen from December to April. Sow them fresh, as they are likely to lose viability if stored dry for long periods, as with many native Apiaceae.

Seedlings dislike humid, stagnant conditions, so raise them with good air flow and do not overwater.

Cuttings and division are not recommended for this species. The plant has a single stout taproot topped by its leaf rosette, and cutting into it usually kills the crown, so seed remains the only dependable way to increase it.

  1. Gather ripe brown fruits from cultivated female plants.
  2. Sow in a free-draining mix of seed raising mix and grit, covering with a thin layer of fine gravel.
  3. Place the tray outdoors in a sunny, airy spot rather than a humid glasshouse.
  4. Keep the mix just moist until seedlings appear.
  5. Transfer seedlings to deep pots while young so the taproot is not damaged.
  6. Plant out into a sunny scree or rock garden once they fill their pots.

Pests & Diseases

In the wild, goats and other browsing animals are a recognised threat, and similar damage could occur from rabbits or hares in rural gardens. Slugs can attack seedlings.

In cultivation the main problem is fungal rot in humid or poorly drained conditions; NZPCN specifically notes that it dislikes humidity.

Cultural Significance

No Māori name or traditional use specific to Gingidia grisea is recorded in the sources consulted. It was formally described as a new species by Peter Heenan in the New Zealand Journal of Botany in 2004, so it is one of the more recently recognised members of the genus.

The epithet grisea means pearl-grey and refers to its strongly glaucous foliage.

Bonus Tip

Because the species is gynodioecious, a single plant may never set seed. If you want to raise more plants, obtain stock from more than one source and check for both female plants (small flowers often tucked among the leaves) and plants with larger male or bisexual flowers.

Plant Conservation

Nationally ranked At Risk - Naturally Uncommon (2023) with qualifiers DPS, DPT and RR, Gingidia grisea is regarded more seriously within Otago, where the 2025 regional list ranks it Regionally Declining. NZPCN reports it has declined or disappeared from sites where it was once common.

Its main threats are invasion of cliffs and talus by boxthorn, spur valerian, gorse and broom, and browsing by goats and other animals. Weed control and goat control at known sites are the most useful actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Gingidia grisea found?

It is endemic to north-eastern Otago, with about 15 known populations between Millhouse near Herbert, Mt Watkin near Waikouaiti, Macraes Flat and the coast at Shag and Moeraki Points.

How do you recognise Gingidia grisea?

Look for rosettes of pinnate leaves with 4 to 7 pairs of rounded leaflets covered on both surfaces in a dense grey-green bloom; it is closest to G. montana, which has greener leaves.

Is Gingidia grisea easy to grow?

NZPCN says it grows readily from fresh seed and does well in free-draining, fertile soil in a sunny, exposed site, but it dislikes humidity.

What threatens Gingidia grisea?

Weeds such as boxthorn, spur valerian, gorse and broom displace it from its cliff habitats, and goats and other browsing animals eat it; it has been lost from some former sites.

Sources and Further Reading

The botanical, growing, and conservation details for Aniseed (Gingidia grisea) on this page draw on the New Zealand plant references below. Consult them for full technical records and the latest distribution data.