TRIP TO NEW ZEALAND

[David Lyttle]

I am enjoying this thread Ian - it is interesting to see things through someone elses eyes. You should have seen the Aciphylla scott-thomsonii on the Blue Mountains today. It makes Aciphylla aurea look a bit stunted.
Your picture of Raoulia eximia colonising the rocky ridge on your last Bulb Log was superb.

If you call your wind-blasted gentian Gentiana ( Gentianella) bellidifolia I dont think you would find too many people who would argue the point.

[Ian Y]

A soon as we dropped off the OLD MAN summit plateau and especially in the wee burns there were lots more interesting plants.


plants growing by burn
 Plants growing on step banks
 Ourisia by burn
 Celmisia sp by burn.
 Celmisia sp by burn 2
 Wee streams
 Celmisia viscosa
 Ranunculus pachyrrhizus 1.
 Ranunculus pachyrrhizus 2.
 Ranunculus pachyrrhizus 3.

[Brian Ellis]

Wow!  I do love Celmisias and it is wonderful to see them in their native habitat.  Thanks Ian we have only second hand enjoyment of your trip ... but it is wonderful

[Maggi Young]

Would you look at the size of the flowers on that Ourisia.... big and fab isn't in it! Love 'em!

[Lvandelft]

Beautiful an interesting pictures,Ian.
This Ranunculus pachyrrhizus is a real stunner, but looks like as difficult in culture
as our alpine Ran. glacialis?

[hadacekf]

Franz, who is the other old man - in the picture?

Lesley, I myself!

[Maggi Young]

Franz, who is the other old man - in the picture?

Lesley, I myself!

Franz, you have been everywhere! When did you make a trip to New Zealand ? (I apologise if you may have said this before and I have forgotten.)

[hadacekf]

Maggi,
In the year 1997 was I and my son 5 weeks in New Zealand. One of my most beautiful trips.

[David Lyttle]

Ian,

More names
3 Ourisia by the burn = Ourisia glandulosa

4 Celmisia sp = Celmisia haastii as is 5

7 is Celmisia haastii not Celmisia viscosa

Celmisia haastii is a late snowbank plant and is found by the wee burns which are filled up with snow until early December. Celmisia viscosa is found  mainly in the herb/cushionfield which is more exposed and does not retain snow cover . Celmisia viscosa covers extensive areas on the Old Man Range and othe Central Otago ranges It is by far the most common Celmisia there. Other species present there were Celmisia prorepens, Celmisia brevifolia and Celmisia ramulosa

[Maggi Young]

Thanks, David! 

[Lesley Cox]

I don't believe Ran. pachyrrhizus is exceptionally difficult Luit. It is listed regularly by one of our local nurseries, Hokonui Alpines. They do a good seed list so it might be worth an enquiry.

[Lvandelft]

Thank you Lesley.
I'll have a look there.

[Ian Y]

Just a last few pictures before I move on from the Old Man Range.
I was impossible to cross the hillside without standing on Celmisia viscosa and even in the strong wind I could smell the scent given off by its leaves and flower stems.
The flowers were over - it must have been a lovely sight in flower.
Late snow banks kept some of the gullies very moist and lush.

 Celmisia viscosa everywhere.jpg
 Well flowered celmisia.jpg
 Aciphylla and celmisia.jpg
 Gentian.jpg
 Natures garden tapestry.jpg
 Late snow bank.jpg
 Wet area fed by snow melt.jpg
 Ourisia in snow melt.jpg
 Ferns in the rocks.jpg
 Epilobium.jpg

[Ian Y]

At Mount Hutt - Joe Cartman gives us our instructions and tells us when to meet up for lunch.
Then we head off in different directions to look for plants.
Then we have lunch.


Joe Cartman gives instructions.
 Dave looks on.
 Finn Haugli, Robyn Freeth and Kate
 Dave Toole and Kate Barnard.
 Fermi comes to help
 Otto and Fermi
 Jean Wyllie
 Jean comes a cropper
 Lunch time.
 Luch time 1.

[Ian Y]

Now for some plants.
I saw my first Raoulia eximia and leucogynes grandiceps in flower.
The epilobiums were spectacular.


First sight of Raoulia eximia
 Leucogynes grandiceps
 Leucogynes flowers
 Dolichoglottis white
 Dolichoglottis
 Nature the best garden designer.jpg
 Green Epilobium.
 Celmisia and epilobium
 Epilobiums