Taramea on Swampy Summit
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/54eb83_7183f4bec0a54093bcb495e2acbdd01f~mv2_d_3024_3780_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1225,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/54eb83_7183f4bec0a54093bcb495e2acbdd01f~mv2_d_3024_3780_s_4_2.jpg)
A jog up to Swampy Summit in the mist this morning. We came across many of these prickly plants: Taramea (Aciphylla aurea) or Golden Speargrass. Apparently in the past, the leaves were gathered by Māori, plaited and heated and a resin was extracted and a fragrant oil was made and used for trading. I also found them mentioned on an American plant selling website, describing them as wild boar, Komodo dragon and grizzly bear resistant...