Vegetable Sheep
Raoulia rubra
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Raoulia rubra is a small vegetable sheep, a cushion-forming daisy endemic to the mountains on either side of Cook Strait. Its hard, woody stock carries densely compacted branches that form cushions up to 25 cm across and 15 cm tall, covered in tiny leaves tipped with long, straight silvery hairs. It is found in the Tararua Range of the North Island and in north-west Nelson and the Paparoa Range of the South Island, on subalpine to alpine rocky slopes, stable talus, cliffs and ledges. Its crimson to purplish florets, which give it the name rubra (red), are unusual among vegetable sheep. It is ranked At Risk - Naturally Uncommon because of its restricted range. Explore more native ground covers in our native plant guide.
Plant Description
Raoulia rubra has a hard, woody stock and branches that are woody at the base and densely compacted into firm cushions up to 25 cm in diameter and 15 cm tall. The leaves are 2 to 4 mm long and 1 to 1.5 mm wide, obovate-spathulate with rounded to squared-off tips. The upper part of each leaf is clad on both surfaces in long straight hairs that extend beyond the leaf tip, while the lower part is hairless and has a single nerve, giving the cushion a silvery, hairy surface.
The flower heads are about 3 mm across, with linear inner bracts that have papery margins and short white radiating tips. Each head holds 10 to 15 florets with crimson to purplish corollas. The seeds are about 2.5 mm long and covered in long silky hairs, with stiff pappus hairs about 2.5 mm long. NZPCN gives flowering from November to January and fruiting from January to April.
Its crimson to purplish florets and its range in the northern South Island and Tararua Range distinguish it from most other vegetable sheep, which have pale florets and grow further south. Raoulia buchananii of the southern South Island also has dark crimson florets but broader, wedge-shaped, squared-off leaves.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Raoulia rubra |
|---|---|
| Height | Up to 0.15 m |
| Spread | Cushions up to 0.25 m across |
| Water Needs | Moist roots in a wet, cloudy alpine climate |
| Light | Full sun to bright open rock faces |
| Frost Tolerance | High |
| Salt Tolerance | No information available; not a coastal plant |
| Growth Rate | Very slow |
| Lifespan | Perennial |
Climate Best Suited to
It suits the cool, wet and cloudy alpine climate of the Tararua, north-west Nelson and Paparoa ranges, with frequent rain, mist, strong winds, snow and frost.
Regional Suitability
| City | Climate Suitability |
|---|---|
| Auckland | Low |
| Wellington | Low |
| Christchurch | Low |
| Dunedin | Low |
Plant Habitat
Raoulia rubra is endemic to New Zealand. In the North Island it is found in the Tararua Range. In the South Island it occurs in north-west Nelson, including the Haupiri Range and Mount Arthur, and in North Westland on the Paparoa Range.
It grows in the subalpine and alpine zones on rocky slopes, stable talus, cliff faces and rock ledges. These sites are exposed to frequent rain, cloud and wind, and the compact cushions cling to rock where competition from taller plants is low.
Growing Requirements
Soil Requirements
It roots into rock crevices and thin, stony alpine soils on stable talus and ledges.
- Rocky or stony ground with little soil
- Constantly moist but freely draining
- Very low fertility
Light Requirements
It grows on open rock faces, ledges and slopes above the treeline.
- Full sun to bright light on open rock
- Cultivated plants need shade from hot lowland afternoon sun
Water Requirements
Its ranges receive high rainfall and frequent mist, so roots stay moist, while steep rock sheds surplus water.
- Consistent root moisture
- No standing water around the cushion
- Good air movement to keep the surface dry between showers
Planting and Establishing
Raoulia rubra is not grown commercially, and NZPCN states it should not be removed from the wild. It is only suited to specialist alpine growers with legally sourced material.
Such growers generally set cushion Raoulia into a crevice between rocks or a deep clay pot of pure grit, with stones packed under the cushion edges, and keep them cool and well ventilated in an alpine house. Expect slow growth and occasional sudden losses in warm, humid weather.
Ecological Role
The dense cushions trap moisture and plant debris and provide shelter for small invertebrates in the harsh alpine environment. The crimson florets are likely visited by the small flies, moths and native bees that pollinate other alpine daisies, though specific pollinator studies were not found.
Seeds with long silky hairs are dispersed by wind. Cushions grow slowly and help stabilise thin soils on ledges and talus where few other plants can establish.
Uses & Significance
Garden Uses
This is a plant for alpine specialists and botanic garden collections rather than home gardens.
- Alpine house or tufa planting for experienced growers
- Botanic garden alpine displays
- Best seen in the wild on the Tararua tops or Mount Arthur
Ecological Value
As a naturally uncommon cushion plant with a split range across Cook Strait, it is a notable part of the alpine flora of the Tararua, north-west Nelson and Paparoa ranges.
- Shelters alpine invertebrates
- Stabilises rock ledges and talus
- Provides nectar for alpine insects in early summer
Landscaping Uses
Raoulia rubra has no role in ordinary landscaping. In a specialist crevice garden it can be wedged between vertical rocks with grit around it to recreate a mountain ledge.
On the Tararua tops or Mount Arthur, look for its silvery cushions on rocky ground near tracks, and admire them without stepping on them.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring
New growth begins as the alpine snows melt.
- Leave wild cushions undisturbed
- Begin watering cultivated plants carefully
Summer
Flowering runs from November to January, when crimson to purplish florets show among white radiating bract tips.
- Look for flowering cushions on the Tararua tops
- Avoid trampling cushions near tracks
Autumn
Fruiting continues from January to April as silky-haired seeds are released.
- Do not collect seed in the wild
- Reduce watering of cultivated plants
Winter
The cushions endure snow, frost and gales with little growth.
- No action needed in the wild
- Keep cultivated plants cool and dry at the surface
When to Prune and How Much
No pruning is required or advisable. Cutting into the compact cushion exposes it to rot.
On cultivated plants, pick out any dead patches with tweezers and fill the gap with fine grit.
How to Grow Vegetable Sheep
NZPCN rates Raoulia rubra as difficult to propagate and says it should not be removed from the wild. No detailed propagation protocol for this species was found in the sources consulted. The methods below describe the general approach alpine specialists take with cushion Raoulia, not proven techniques for this species. Use only plants already in cultivation, and provide cool, bright, airy conditions in a very gritty mix, expecting slow growth and frequent losses. Any material grown for restoration should come from local populations with Department of Conservation approval.
From Seed
Fruiting runs from January to April. The silky-haired seeds blow away quickly once ripe, so watch heads on cultivated plants closely.
- Collect ripe seed heads from cultivated plants in late summer
- Sow fresh on the surface of fine pumice mixed with a little sieved compost
- Cover with a dusting of fine grit and place outdoors in a cold, bright spot
- Keep evenly moist through winter and expect germination in spring
- Grow seedlings on slowly in deep pots before potting on
From Cuttings
Small shoot clusters can be removed from the edge of a vigorous cultivated cushion, but this damages the parent and rooting is slow. Taking several pieces at once improves the odds that at least one will root.
- In spring, detach a small cluster of shoots with a sliver of woody stem
- Insert into pure pumice or coarse sand kept just moist
- Keep in bright shade with good ventilation while roots form
- Pot on with minimal root disturbance once established
Pests & Diseases
No pest problems are recorded for wild plants, and NZPCN notes the species is not threatened within its range.
In cultivation, rot from humid or wet conditions is the main problem, along with drought stress in pots. Birds may peck at cushions searching for insects, and mealybugs can occasionally hide among the shoots.
Cultural Significance
No Māori name or traditional Māori use is recorded for Raoulia rubra in the sources consulted.
The species was described by John Buchanan, and the epithet rubra means red, after its crimson florets. It was featured as NZPCN Plant of the Month in March 2010. It has also been placed in Psychrophyton as Psychrophyton rubrum.
Bonus Tip
Of the cushion-forming vegetable sheep covered by NZPCN, Raoulia rubra is the one recorded from the North Island, so a hard, silvery Raoulia cushion on rock on the Tararua tops is very likely this species. Check in early summer for the crimson to purplish florets to confirm it.
Related Plants
Explore other native plants that share similar characteristics or habitats with Vegetable Sheep (Raoulia rubra), offering further insights into New Zealand's diverse flora. These related species provide context and opportunities for complementary planting in your garden.
Plant Conservation
Raoulia rubra is ranked At Risk - Naturally Uncommon in the 2023 New Zealand Threat Classification, with the qualifier Range Restricted, the same ranking it has held since 2009. In the Wellington region it is ranked Regionally Naturally Uncommon (2025).
NZPCN considers it not threatened by any particular agent and common within its known range, much of which lies in Tararua Forest Park, Kahurangi National Park and Paparoa National Park. Staying on tracks and never collecting plants protects these slow-growing cushions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a vegetable sheep in the North Island?
Yes. Raoulia rubra grows in the Tararua Range, making it the vegetable sheep most likely to be seen by North Island trampers. It also occurs in north-west Nelson and the Paparoa Range.
Why is it called Raoulia rubra?
Rubra means red, referring to the crimson to purplish florets in its small flower heads, which contrast with the white radiating bract tips and silvery cushion.
Is Raoulia rubra rare?
It is ranked At Risk - Naturally Uncommon because it has a restricted range, but NZPCN notes that it is common within its known geographic range and is not under any known threat.
Can Raoulia rubra be grown in gardens?
NZPCN describes it as difficult to propagate and states that it should not be removed from the wild, so it is not a practical garden plant.
Sources and Further Reading
The botanical, growing, and conservation details for Vegetable Sheep (Raoulia rubra) on this page draw on the New Zealand plant references below. Consult them for full technical records and the latest distribution data.