Notothalaspi rosulatum. Penwiper
Here is one of New Zealand’s most interesting and loveable alpine plants. Just looking at the photograph you can see why. Botanically its name Noto means Southern and Thlaspi penny grass hence Southern Pennygrass. Rosulatum refers to its overlapping leaves.
Found growing on shingle screes in the dryer subalpine to alpine areas of the South Island from Marlborough to North Otago it can be hard to find except when in flower.
Its flat rosette of grey leaves about 8cm across provide a great disguise in amongst the stony scree areas.
However when in flower a strong conical flower head of white flowers can stand up to 25cm high.
Unfortunately it is a biennial so after flowering and setting seed it will die. Flowers have a lovely scent.
Belonging to the brassica or cabbage family it produces many seeds which will grow easily in the scree conditions.
Notothlaspi rosulatum is called the penwiper plant, as it resembles an old-fashioned cloth penwiper.
It can be growing in the right conditions, but is much better observed in the wild.
Found growing on shingle screes in the dryer subalpine to alpine areas of the South Island from Marlborough to North Otago it can be hard to find except when in flower.
Its flat rosette of grey leaves about 8cm across provide a great disguise in amongst the stony scree areas.
However when in flower a strong conical flower head of white flowers can stand up to 25cm high.
Unfortunately it is a biennial so after flowering and setting seed it will die. Flowers have a lovely scent.
Belonging to the brassica or cabbage family it produces many seeds which will grow easily in the scree conditions.
Notothlaspi rosulatum is called the penwiper plant, as it resembles an old-fashioned cloth penwiper.
It can be growing in the right conditions, but is much better observed in the wild.