[2][1][3] It is a small speargrass with spiky leaves and white or yellow flowers.

[1] The leaves are up to 18 cm (7.1 in) long and grey-green or yellowish.

[4] It is endemic to New Zealand, and restricted to the South Island.

Aciphylla comes from a combination of the Latin word acicula, or needle, and the Greek word phyllum, or leaf.

Monroi was named for Sir David Monro, a New Zealand politician.