NZ field trips - Feb 2011

[Lesley Cox]

Cyathodes species

Pentachondra pumila

Gentianella species

I was able to collect seed of 5 species for the seedlists, including Aciphylla aurea but the picture of that has vanished into the ether. The little Gentianella was everywhere in quantity. I think it may be an annual, the growth was so fine.

Earlier someone asked about seed of the Pentachondra. I don't remember who it was, but I have some fresh seed now if whoever it was is interested. I think it was after a very good picture of David's.

[Lesley Cox]

I don't know the name of this little lake. Maybe it doesn't have one.

Teddy and Cain were occupied by rabbity smells. Lots of evidence of bunnies.

[kiwi]

Punakaiki, West Coast. Home of the 'Pancake rocks' and habitat of Craspedia uniflora var robusta (or 'Punakaiki')

[David Lyttle]

Having difficulties getting message and pictures in the same place.

1 Gaultheria depressa var novae-zelandiae (var depressa has conspicuous bristles fringing the leaves) Commonly known as Snowberry and is edible.

2. Microtis unifolia (A very common orchid that grows as a weed in my pots)

3 Euphrasia zealandica a small annual species and Gaultheria macrostigma (syn Pernyetta macrostigma - hybridises with Gaultheria depressa var nz so creating a separate genus for it is not justified)

4 Raoulia subsericea (common in depleted grassland)

[David Lyttle]

Cyathodes species

Pentachondra pumila

Gentianella species

I was able to collect seed of 5 species for the seedlists, including Aciphylla aurea but the picture of that has vanished into the ether. The little Gentianella was everywhere in quantity. I think it may be an annual, the growth was so fine.

Earlier someone asked about seed of the Pentachondra. I don't remember who it was, but I have some fresh seed now if whoever it was is interested. I think it was after a very good picture of David's.

1 Acrothamnus colensoi  (syn Leucopogon colensoi Hook.f., Leucopogon suaveolens Hook.f., Cyathodes colensoi (Hook.f.) Hook.f.) Acrothamnus is the currently accepted generic name.

2 Pentachondra pumila - no disagreement with that

3 Gentianella grisebachii  Lesley, you are correct -  it is an annual. Some gentians are monocarpic eg Gentianella corymbifera and others are perennial eg Gentianella bellidifolia

[Lesley Cox]

1 Acrothamnus colensoi  (syn Leucopogon colensoi Hook.f., Leucopogon suaveolens Hook.f., Cyathodes colensoi (Hook.f.) Hook.f.) Acrothamnus is the currently accepted generic name.

That will look REALLY good on the seed packet!

Thanks for the correct naming David. I thought Microtis was probably right but there are a few other little greens so decided to play for safe. The damn thing seeds everywhere here too, a real nuisance because if you pull it out you get the old bulb but not the new replacement so it comes again.

[cohan]

Having difficulties getting message and pictures in the same place.

the pic labelled 'small orchid' could almost be from here, looking at a glance like Corallorhiza with Antennaria rosettes in the background!

[David Lyttle]

Doug,

Enjoyed your pictures of Punakaiki; it is a really spectacular place. The Punakaiki Craspedia looks really interesting. Here is a picture from my last visit there (some time ago). I managed to accidently alter the settings on my camera which is easy to do so photos were less than optimal.

[kiwi]

Cheers David, great spot.
Had a wander up behind Mount Lyndon, (far left)
Found some treasures, Montigena novae-zelandiae (2nd photo), Lobelia roughii, Myosotis australis.
Aciphylla aurea dripping with seed.
Acaena species.
David, Dave, I need the correct id for this so I can update my Mills and Boon.

[David Lyttle]

Hi Doug,

I think your Acaena is an Acaena inermis hybrid. The genus is somewhat confusing and I do not feel particularly confident in making an ID.

Your Aciphylla does not look like Aciphylla aurea or at least the form down here.  I would not be entirely sure unless I saw the actual plant. The question is complicated by the fact that there seems to be regional variations in Aciphylla for example the North Otago form of Aciphylla aurea seems to differ from the Central Otago form.

Last picture which you have not named is Pseudognaphalium luteo-album

[Hoy]

You never run out of beautiful vistas or plant species down there, do you

[kiwi]

Hi David, what else could the Aciphylla be?
This area is predominately A.aurea and A.scott-thomsonii in the wetter areas.

[David Lyttle]

Hi Doug,

My feeling is that the plant in your photo looks more like Aciphylla scott-thomsoni than Aciphylla aurea but you have seen the plants in the field and I have not so again I cannot be hard and fast on this point.

[kiwi]

Cheers David,
I presumed being a dry area it would have been A.aurea.
Presumption is the mother of all .........incorrect id's?