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ACIPHYLLA SQUARROSA

A remarkable genus of which there are five varieties from nine feet to less than a foot high. It is confined to New Zealand and Australia.

Aciphylla squarrosa from Mount Egmont about a foot and a half high.

The Spear-grass.

A warrior bold is the spear-grass straight
He thrusts out his lance with a laugh elate
Let no one pass by for unhappy the fate
Of those who discover my prickles too late
Ho, Ho, laughed the spear-grass bold.