New Zealand carrot Daucus glochidiatus

Key Features

  • Similar to the garden carrot, Daucus carota, which is naturalised in the wild, but D. glochidiatus is a smaller plant (up to 30 cm, or occasionally 60 cm tall) and its flower heads have an irregular outline and have fewer flowers.

Distribution and Habitat

  • North and South Islands.
  • Coastal, lowland to montane on cliff faces, rock outcrops, talus slopes, in short tussockland or grassland and in open forest.

Threats

  • Competition from faster growing, taller weeds, particularly rats tail grass (Sporobolus africanus). Rats tail now dominates most of the northern North Island habitats that used to support native carrot.

Management Opportunities

  • Survey for new locations.
  • Mark known sites.
  • Protection of habitat.
  • Ensure that forest owners are aware of potential habitats and can recognise the species.
  • Weed control.

Monitoring Options

  • Check existing populations annually.
  • Report new locations to DOC and NZPCN.

Further Information and Support

  • New Zealand Plant Conservation Network (NZPCN). http://www.nzpcn.org.nz
  • Weed control - Department of Conservation.
  • Reference
    • Peter de Lange, Peter Heenan, David Norton, Jeremy Rolfe and John Sawyer (2010). Threatened Plants of New Zealand. Canterbury University Press, Christchurch. 472 pp.