Scandia is a small genus of two species of perennial woody climbers and subshrubs in the carrot family, Apiaceae (order Apiales). Both species are endemic to New Zealand, making Scandia one of a trio of closely related genera — alongside Gingidia and Lignocarpa — grouped within tribe Aciphylleae and found nowhere else on Earth.
Plants in the genus are glabrous (smooth, without hairs or bristles) and develop woody stems, particularly towards the base. The vegetative stems are notable for their elongated internodes, which are either decumbent — growing horizontally before turning upward — or, in the case of S. geniculata, twining through neighbouring vegetation to a height of 2 m or more. Leaves are borne on the aerial stems and are simple or once-pinnately compound, slightly fleshy to leathery in texture, with ovate to obovate leaflets that are toothed along their margins. Flowers are white, small, and arranged in large compound umbels that bear a strong resemblance to those of Queen Anne's Lace (Ammi majus). The genus is gynodioecious, meaning populations contain a mix of female and hermaphroditic individuals. Fruits are ovate-ellipsoid, with five ribs — the marginal pair broadly winged — a characteristic arrangement typical of the Apiaceae. The chromosome number is 2n = 22.
The genus name Scandia is derived from the Latin scandere, meaning "to climb," a direct reference to the lianoid growth habit that is especially pronounced in S. geniculata. The genus was formally described by J. W. Dawson in 1967, published in the New Zealand Journal of Botany. Both species were previously placed in the genus Angelica, and before that in Anisotome and Peucedanum, before Dawson established Scandia as a distinct genus on morphological grounds.
The two accepted species occupy overlapping but distinct ranges within New Zealand. Scandia rosifolia (koheriki) is found in the North Island, from the Three Kings Islands south to Taranaki and the southern Ruahine Ranges. Scandia geniculata (New Zealand Aniseed) occurs in the southern North Island and along the eastern South Island from Marlborough to Otago. Both favour cliff faces, rocky ground, river gorges, and scrub edges from coastal to montane elevations.
Etymology
The genus name Scandia is derived from the Latin scandere, meaning "to climb," in reference to the scrambling and lianoid growth habit characteristic of the genus. The specific epithet of S. rosifolia means "rose-leafed" (Latin rosa + folium), while S. geniculata takes its name from the Latin geniculum ("knee"), describing the jointed or bent arrangement of its climbing stems.
Distribution
Scandia is endemic to New Zealand. Scandia rosifolia occurs in the North Island from Manawatāwhi / Three Kings Islands south to Taranaki in the west and the southern Ruahine Ranges in the east. Scandia geniculata is found in the southern North Island (from Kapiti Island and Paekakariki) and throughout the South Island from Marlborough to southern Otago. Both species inhabit coastal to montane environments, favouring cliff faces, rocky ground, river gorges, and scrub margins.
Ecology
Both species grow in coastal to montane habitats, from sea level to approximately 1400 m elevation (S. rosifolia). Preferred microsites include cliff faces, clay banks, rock ledges, talus slopes, and the margins of river gorges; plants also establish in grey scrub communities and amongst tussock grassland. The lianoid habit of S. geniculata allows it to scramble through and over neighbouring shrubs. Both species flower from spring through summer, with fruiting extending into autumn.
Conservation
Scandia rosifolia is assessed as Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable under the 2023 New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS), a slight improvement from its 2017 status of Threatened – Nationally Critical. It has declined across much of its historic range; the largest surviving populations are found on cliff faces inaccessible to browsing animals, including possums. Scandia geniculata is assessed as At Risk – Declining (2023 NZTCS). Both species are classified as endemic taxa, with no populations outside New Zealand.
Cultivation
Both species are easily grown from fresh seed; S. rosifolia can also be propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings. S. rosifolia tolerates a range of conditions but performs best in free-draining, fertile soils in a sunny position and makes an effective pot or container plant. S. geniculata dislikes humidity and excessive moisture and suits hanging baskets or as a ground cover in a free-draining, sunny site. The young leaves of S. rosifolia are noted as strongly aromatic and have been used as a salad addition before full maturity. Both species have been grown by Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf.
