General Subjects => Travel / Places to Visit => Topic started by: Lesley Cox on January 02, 2007, 09:34:19 PM
Title: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 02, 2007, 09:34:19 PM
Our day yesterday was interesting, if damp, though as much for good food and drink, and a trip to McRae's Flat where there is a massive gold mining project, as for plants.
Our first stop was to let the dog have a run and drink which gave me an opportunity to see the Central Otago rockscape in context, but with a "rest area" sign to keep things civilized.
[attachthumb=1]
This rock is entirely typical of Central Otago and is basically a schist type, rotten to the core and crying out to be made into crevice gardens.
[attachthumb=2]
[attachthumb=3]
[attachthumb=4]
[attachthumb=5]
We were caught on a torrential downpour with thunder and lightening so took shelter for a few minutes in this little rock alcove.
[attachthumb=6]
[attachthumb=7]
But the rain cleared quickly and I was able to take a few pictures.
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 02, 2007, 09:51:37 PM
This unlikely candidate is a member of the Violaceae and is one of many divaricating shrubby plants native to New Zealand. It is (I think) Hymenanthera alpina.
[attachthumb=1]
The thorns are vicious and very rigid. Don't fall into it!
[attachthumb=2]
Here it is in unripe fruit. The orange bits are lichen.
[attachthumb=3]
Bulbinella hookeri or the so-called "Maori Onion" is attractive in the garden but would be better if it didn't flower gradually as the bottom flowers are gone and the stem looks shabby before the upper ones are out.
[attachthumb=4]
[attachthumb=5]
This little orchid is also in bloom at the top while in seed lower down. It is very unspectacular, maybe a prasophyllum. It seems larger in both flower and seed than the ubiquitous and weedy Microtis uniflora.
[attachthumb=6]
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 02, 2007, 09:54:36 PM
Lesley,
Great to see the other side of the world. Good rocks. Looking forward to some plant photographs. Many thanks for posting.
And now for a completely personal comment: You really must change the photograph you use with your posts. It doesn't do you justice at all - this is after seeing you in that alcove sheltering from the rain.
Paddy
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 02, 2007, 09:57:26 PM
Lesley,
Delighted to see Bulbinella hookeri in the wild. It grows well here. That other plant, the thorny one, might well be called the resurrection plant since those who fall into it are sure to rise again.
Paddy
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Joakim B on January 02, 2007, 10:12:08 PM
Lesley I agree with Paddy regarding the photo! If I my have an opinion. Paddy a good joke :) :) The violet is truley a mother-in-law violet! We only have step mother violets in Sweden but they look much less harmfull :)
Nice pics of mighty rocks Joakim
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 02, 2007, 10:15:35 PM
Got it fixed now, Joakim.
Paddy
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Joakim B on January 02, 2007, 10:17:36 PM
Then I fix mine Paddy :)
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Joakim B on January 02, 2007, 10:21:11 PM
Lesley Is the NZ native orchids grown in gardens? I am extra curious about everything that is orchids.
Kind regards Joakim
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 02, 2007, 10:22:32 PM
That's certainly true Paddy, rise again both loudly and painfully! but it's the bulbinella which is known locally as Maori onion, mainly because of the strappy foliage I suppose. The local name for hymenanthera is Matagouri.
We saw just one celmisia, the little and least exciting of all, Celmisia gracilenta.
[attachthumb=1]
And these few are specially for you Paddy, knowing you like Aciphylla aurea.
[attachthumb=2]
[attachthumb=3]
This female stem carried thousands of almost ripe seeds. I collected a few and had bleeding hands to show for it. The next pic shows a stem literally weighed down with seed.
[attachthumb=4]
This is a different species, not sure which but Dave or David will know. We saw just this one plant, with an oldish, male flower stem.
[attachthumb=5]
[attachthumb=6]
Wet, all of us and smelly, just the dog, we left the area in search of lunch. Then later in the day to Macrae's Flat.
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 02, 2007, 10:41:41 PM
Hi Joakim, the orchid CAN be grown in gardens but because it is so quiet, I doubt if it is, much. The other I mentioned, the microtis, certainly does grow here with me and with David as well as many other gardeners but it is a weed really, totally devoid of horticultural attraction, and seeding into other plants such as precious cushions, and being a pesky nuisance. The flower is green same as the foliage and is less than 5mm across.
Mcraes, as the area is known by locals, is chiefly of interest now for it's massive open cast gold mining operation. There are literally thousands of hectares now involved and much of the landscape looks like the moon. The first picture is a board which tells something of the project and the company concerned, which I think is largely American.
[attachthumb=1]
There are viewing areas which show some of the immediate work areas and there are tours arranged through the processing halls and elsewhere. The big trucks which are loaded by a digger whose bucket lifts 38 tonnes at a time, are themselves pretty big. Their load per journey to the processing plant is 191 tonnes each. There was a notice saying that if a gardener worked 24 hours a day with a wheelbarrow, it would take 10 days to move a single truckload.
[attachthumb=2]
[attachthumb=3]
[attachthumb=4]
All very interesting but NOT NICE!
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 02, 2007, 10:50:54 PM
Lesley,
You are a treasure. Many thanks for the photographs of the Aciphylla aurea, absolutely fabulous.
Good Holy God, that seedhead is a lethal affair, chainmail gloves?
Paddy
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: David Lyttle on January 03, 2007, 12:15:09 PM
Hi Lesley,
Your Aciphylla is Aciphylla subflabellata which is an uncommon plant.
However the correct scientific name for matagouri which is the plant you have photographed in pictures 1-3 is Discaria toumatou not Hymenanthera alpina. Matagouri (or Mata-bloody-gouri as it is known in the vernacular) is also called wild irishman. It is a member of the family Rhamnaceae.
Hymenanthera alpina is now known as Melicytus alpinus. You are correct - it is a member of the Violaceae. Audrey Eagle has illustrated seven iterations of this plant in her new book. It is widespread in the Eastern South Island ranging from the coast to the main divide. Some authorities consider there are several undescribed taxa in the complex as it is quite a variable plant.
The Bulbinella is Bulbinella angustifolia not Bulbinella hookeri. Bulbinella hookeri has broader leaves and is not found this far south.
You are correct with the orchid - It is Prasophyllum colensoi. It is superficially similar to Microtis unifolia in general appearance but the flowers are quite distinct.
I will post a picture of Melicytus alpinus so you can tell the difference.
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 04, 2007, 12:58:02 AM
Thanks David, for the picture and the correction. I've seen that one around too but thought they were just the other perhaps grazed by bunnies when young, or by sheep.
Chainmail wouldn't work Paddy as the spines would go through the linkages. Have to be made from sheet metal I think.
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: t00lie on January 05, 2007, 10:52:55 PM
Western edge of the Eyre Mountains Northern Southland.New Zealand.
Finally posting shots of a trip of 4 days ago.
Although it's an area i know reasonably well from numerous fly fishing trips, i'd never botanised the higher slopes so it was a trip which i was looking forward too but ultimately won't forget for a while.
Unfortunately most of the following pics are scenery shots as i didn't manage to reach the screes i was focusing on.The text accompanying the pics will hopefully explain.
Cheers Dave
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Ian Y on January 06, 2007, 10:41:30 AM
Great to see the pictures Dave, next year at this time I will be heading out to join you when I visit New Zealand. Hopefully I will see some of your hills in person. In the meantime I hope that you, Lesley, and others keep posting your field pictures.
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: David Lyttle on January 06, 2007, 11:20:43 AM
My wife Belinda and I took a quiet stroll yesterday 20 mins drive from our home hunting for plants. We left the track and hopped over a couple of fences to get a few pictures. Warningg Do not do this on your trip of a lifetime to New Zealand. It is not for the faint-hearted.
Picture1 is a view of Cape Saunders named by Captain Cook on his first voyage to New Zealand.
Picture 2 is a view of the lower Otago Peninsula looking across Hoopers Inlet.
Pictures 3 and 4 show some of the coastal features in this part of the world.
Picture 5 shows Melicytus alpinus growing in an old stone wall. In these situations it forms a very rigid low-growing cushion.
Picture 6 shows wind-shorn shrubs of Corokia cotoneaster. Many shrubs here exhibit the divaricating form of growth where instead of one leader there are multiple growing points giving a shrub that is a tight mass of interlaced branches. The prevailing wind trims these shrubs into very tight shapes.
Pictures 7 and 8 are of the orchid Corybas macranthus showing the leaves of this plant and the flower. I was fortunate to find a single flower amongst a colony of many hundreds of plants growing on an exposed turfy bank. Corybas species can be a bit difficult to identify but this one has been reported from this locality so that is good enough for me.
Pictures 9 and 10 show the local endemic form of Helichrysum intermedium which used to be called Helichrysum selago var tumidum. It may or may not be distinct a species in its own right. It is confined to the cliffs of Sandymount and Cape Saunders.
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 06, 2007, 11:37:21 AM
David, what with these shots and Toolie's tales of dodgy screes and roaming hunters, I begin to see why your countrymen invented bungee jumping--- you're all crazy! Wonderful pictures, though!
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 06, 2007, 11:42:02 AM
I'm with Maggi. Smashing pictures David. Took me a while to focus in on the orchid flower. Is it that thing that looks like a dead beetle? Wierd or wot? Is it in cultivation?
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: David Lyttle on January 06, 2007, 11:50:39 AM
Sandymount is a bit of an anomalous as it has number of plants that can be though of as alpine growing on the coast. Possibly after the last glaciation these plants retreated to more severe sites that could not support forest hence the current presence of Helichrysum intermedium.
A plant confined to the coast is Linum monogynum.
Also found in coastal sites is the tiny forget-me-not Myosotis pygmaea var pygmaea.
Another plant that is common here is the small daisy Lagenifera pumila.
And coming soon to a supermarket near you.
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 06, 2007, 11:57:13 AM
Like the lamb in tussock, must be an old NZ recipe, I prefer mine in a rosemary gravy.
The Lagenifera daisy is a new one to me, good foliage, too. I like daisies.
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: David Lyttle on January 06, 2007, 12:19:33 PM
Anthony, New Zealand orchids are cultivated only by a few specialists. Generally they are small and not particularly showy compared with tropical orchids. As a cautionary tale some Czech collectors were convicted in the Courts and got done severely in a financial way several years ago when they were caught leaving the country with native orchids. It is not that most species of NZ orchids are particularly rare or endangered especially compared to other NZ plants that are freely exported and traded. For some quirky bureaucratic reason New Zealand as signatory to the CITES convention nominated only orchids as plants worth protecting.
I am posting a picture of Corybas cheesemanii taken in beech forest on the West Coast that gives you a better idea of what Corybas flowers look like.
Maggi, The Lagenifera is the perhaps the closest thing we have to Bellis (a poor cousin) and if you are really interested seed could be obtained.
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 06, 2007, 12:28:54 PM
All those little cheesemen look like wee aliens; easy to see the attraction to the collector. david, I would be delighted to get some seed of the Lagenifera, in the fullness of time, if you would be so kind. I'd like to add it to a raised bed of Nzers. I'll email my postal address to you. Cheers, Maggi
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: hadacekf on January 06, 2007, 03:25:10 PM
I am always happy, if I see pictures of New Zealand. Thank you. I like the friendly people, mountains and plants. Here are some of my memories.
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 06, 2007, 07:08:55 PM
Dave, David and Franz,
It would be very difficult to surpass the photographs you three have presented over the past few posts. A visit to NewZealand would be a tremendous experience and one I surely would love to undertake. In the meantime, many thanks for bringing me as close as I possibly could without travelling.
Dave - your photos show what a truly wonderful country New Zealand is. The scenery is beautiful but definitely on the wild side. You were wise to take off in the Toyota.
David - tongue in cheek, I was about to ask you to go back and collect come seed from those helychrysum plants on the cliff face.
Franz - what fabulous plants. The aciphlla especially are truly magnificent (personal preference!)
Many thanks to you all, really enjoyed reading your comments and viewing the photographs. Great stuff.
Paddy
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 07, 2007, 12:22:35 AM
Great pictures everyone. When were you in New Zealand Franz? When will you come back?
Ian, don't let those Cantabrians monopolise all your free time here. You MUST come south as well. Some of our Aussie friends will be here too and Dave is already lining up trips I'm sure. And yes, we'll all keep posting pictures. Next weekend we all (Dave, David, Susan and I) go to the Borland Saddle area near Lake Monowai in western Southland, with others from Otago Alpine Garden Group. Dave and David will take pictures of the plants, Susan will be in charge of bottles and I'll have the cake. A great time will be had by all.
David didn't mention that his pictures of Sandymount and Cape Saunders are actually in (part of) the city of Dunedin along with penguin and royal albatross colonies and large areas of mountain, river, lake and forest. This odd situation arose back in the 80s I think when various local government areas were amalgamated and Dunedin had large wild and rural areas attached to it. So even though the city has approx 120,000 inhabitants, in area, it is one of the biggest cities in the world.
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 07, 2007, 01:11:00 AM
The Corybas species can be grown in quite deep shady spots in the garden. I have a friend in one of the Dunedin hill suburbs who has a patch which came in with some leaf mould collected in a bushy area near Manapouri. I have had both Thelymitra longifolia and the little green bird orchid Chiloglottis cornuta introduced the same way, as seed in pine bark.
The tiny and insignificant orchid mentioned above, Microtis unifolia, is pictured below. Most of the foliage is an Allium species in a pot. The microtis leaf is the one going sideways toward the right. The flowers are so small as to be almost invisible, just that little bit attached to the tops of the seed capsules.
[attachthumb=1]
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Susan on January 07, 2007, 02:03:06 AM
This is not exactly flora but fauna, on the Otago Peninsula. Late last year members of our family won a quiz night, put on to raise funds for the local volunteer fire brigade at Portobello. First prize was donated by a local wildlife tour company, Elm Tours. We took our trip last week. The following are a few of the wildlife as Lesley says, within the city boundary. The penguins fish during the day and come in towards dusk, hence the lack of good daylight, plus it was a misty day. You are not allowed to go too close to the sea lions for a variety of reasons, one being the Dept of Conservation rules and the other because they can travel at 20km an hour on land if you get between them and anything they might be interested in.
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: Susan on January 07, 2007, 03:12:49 AM
We then went on a bit of a hike around to another beach, this was a tour only for the fit, where we saw a colony of fur seals. They were all in the process of rearing and bearing their young. Just missed the birth of a baby but watched fascinated while a huge gull fought with the mother over the placenta. Then we went around to the Royal Albatross Colony at Taiaroa Head. I have been there on numerous occasions but have never seen them in flight. This time, as we were about to depart, a wind started to blow and out of the mist came 4 albatross, swooping overhead. The birds in the colony are currently sitting on eggs and there are viewing platforms so when they are hatched, if the nests are in view one can see the chicks being reared. This is the only mainland colony in the world, and numbers are dropping as they tend to get caught in long line fishing that takes place in the Southern Ocean.
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: KentGardener on January 07, 2007, 03:43:12 AM
Susan and all
thank you so much for sharing your adventures with us - a fascinating and most enjoyable account of nature on the other side of the world.
with many thanks
John
Title: Re: Field trips January 2007
Post by: mark smyth on January 07, 2007, 11:09:34 AM
It's good to see NZ plants. Do I see an invasion of Trilobites? Or whatever invaded the first Star Tek?
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: hadacekf on January 08, 2007, 07:06:51 PM
Lesley, I visited New Zealand in the year 1997. The 6 weeks on the south island were the most beautiful in my lives. I would visit immediately this beautiful country, but my health does not permit so large journeys.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: t00lie on January 13, 2007, 08:25:44 PM
Otago Alpine Garden Club weekend visit to Fiordland.
A good friend and i travelled up yesterday to join forum members --Lesley, Susan More and David Lyttle on their clubs annual field trip.We two Southlanders felt privileged to have been invited to botanise with the 18 enthusiasts heading into the 'hills'.
The following is just a small offering of the day we spent with them as i'm sure there will be pics to follow and i don't want to steal their thunder so to speak.
Cheers Dave.
Ps.Lesley did bake a cake.Very nice it was indeed. :P
Pps.I was astonished to overhear Mrs More admit she knew all along that Lesley was not baking all those cakes she posted.--Maggi no doubt you will come up with an appropriate title to attach to Susans avatar. ;)
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 13, 2007, 08:51:46 PM
Thanks for starting us off with this latest NX trip, Dave. I hope pix of cake will follow from one of you? I just adore Ranunculus lyallii and though we have not had much in the way of flowers here in aberdeen (though one or two pals have managed a couple) I can still enjoy this plant every day by way of this lovely watercolour painting by our dear friend, the late Lawrence Greenwood, who, with his charming and elegant wife, Lillian, graced many an SRGC show and Discussion weekend both by their attendance and displays of super flower paintings. Lillian still pops up to Scotland on occasion to see us all, staying with her friends, Lynn and Michael Almond, who also have a collection of Lawrence's work. Here is a photo of our painting of Ranunculus lyallii; the thumbnail will enlarge [attachthumb=1] The photo was taken with the glass in the picture, so the overall effect is somewhat paler than the real painting. It is a lovely representation of the plant, though, isn't it?
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 13, 2007, 11:04:19 PM
Dave,
Here you are again, treating us to the fabulous treasures of the southern island and I, for one, am thoroughly pleased to have you post these photographs again.
The aciphylla are gorgeous but R. lyalii is simply out of this world. A friend of mine, who had been based at the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin, came back from N.Z. and simply raved about this plant. It was for her the most beautiful plant she had seen in N.Z. and one she recommended to us as one of the most beautiful plants she had ever seen.
The second photograph of R. lyalii, the one with the hand, is very informative as it gives a sense of scale I hadn't appreciarted previously.
Unfortunately, as we say in Ireland, 'it died on me'. I tried my best but managed to kill it. I'll try again when I can find a source for the plant.
Many thanks, Dave, great photographs, really enjoy them. More at your convenience, please.
Paddy
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: t00lie on January 13, 2007, 11:48:44 PM
Wonderful painting Maggie. I recall seeing some of Lawrence's pieces of art in one or two of the alpine bulletins of a year or three ? back--can't recall if they were SRGC or AGS .Simply marvellous.
Paddy--I must confess i can't keep R.lyallii either.I find seed i collect every season (including the hybrid with R. buchananii) germinates easily ,however aphids tend to attack the seedlings at this time of the year when i am often away from my garden. I have however been more vigilant this season and have many small healthy plants .
While i agree lyallii is beautiful ,the most spectacular one in my eyes is the yellow aff R. haastii ssp. pilifeus from the ST Mary Range in North Otago.The plants in this area have recently been recognised as a species in their own right.Unfortunately i have forgotten the new name,(duh!!!). R. acraeus, according to my informant, IY. David Lyttle upon his return to civilisation will be able to provide the full details.
I have a scan of a slide of the plants somewhere in the system --just gotta locate it. Interestingly seed sown in march 05 germinated this spring .While these seedlings look okay they have been extremely slow in growth.
Cheers Dave.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 14, 2007, 07:52:37 AM
My word Dave, you ARE on the ball. I've been home only for 2 hours! and haven't thought about pics yet.
I hope you and David and Susan do lots more of the higher plants because - I must admit it - due to my rather more comfortable shape, I didn't walk as far as the others. But had a fantastic day though, the best by far this summer with warm sunny conditions the whole day, hardly a breath of wind and perfect views of the Fiordland mountains in every direction.
I think Susan took a picture of the cake (Her David and I cut it, joined hands, wedding style) but though very good to eat, it was a plain choc cake, plainly iced. While it was mostly for Dave's birthday, he almost missed it because of not arriving until Saturday morning, instead of Friday night like the rest of us. His friend Marjorie was having her birthday actually yesterday so it served a double purpose.
I'll do some pics soon, probably sticking mostly to scenery, though I have to say Paddy, that seeing R. lyallii in the wild, its own natural habitat, must be one of life's great glories.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 14, 2007, 03:14:39 PM
Lesley,
I have only seen photographs of R. lyalii from a friend who went to NZ botanizing. She was madly in love with it, simply adored it so I can imagine the thrill of seeing it in the wild. A fabulous plant.
Dave, I feel a little consoled to hear you have had difficulty in growing it as well. It seems you are off to a more promising start this year and hopefully the young plants will continue to thrive and you will be postin photographs of it in your garden later on in the season.
Many thanks for the wonderful photographs. And Lesley, you say you will ONLY be posting photographs of the scenery - but they are lovely, great to see another country and with the speed with which Dave posts this is almost as good as live television when it first arrived. Also, seeing the scenery gives a good idea of the growing environment of the plants you post, something which is very interesting.
Must go out and take a photo of that Ranunculus creticus for you so you can see the size of the full plant. It's sunny here at the moment - what am I doing at this computer? Well, just finished lunch and taking a break. I was wheelbarrowing compost all morning.
Paddy
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: David Lyttle on January 14, 2007, 08:23:27 PM
Hi Dave, Hi Lesley As I said at the time I was going to come down off the mountain only when I had no room left on my memory card or when the light failed, which ever came first. Dave, I was not able to catch up with you again before you left to return to Invercargill. Many thanks for your company and showing me where the plants were located. I did make it back with over 190 images, 1256 MB does not go all that far on such an outstanding day that we had. After we separated the plants just kept on coming and we got pretty much to the top. We did not go along the ridge to the ultimate high point which is 1645 metres. We settled for a slightly lower one at 1635 metres due to an excess off fresh air on the Borland side and the snow on the other side.
On the theme of Ranunculi which seem to be popular this evening Ranunculus buchananii , Ranunculus lyallii and Ranunculus buchananii x lyalli.
Pictures from the top and a picture taken on the on the way down showing some of the innumerable small tarns lower down.
As for plants there were lots of them. A Chionohebe possibly ciliolata though it is hard to tell from the picture alone.
Astelia linearis which covered extensive ares in some places. Fruit was pretty sparse considering the mass of plants there.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 14, 2007, 09:02:03 PM
David,
The treats from NZ continue - many thanks, between you all it has been a wonderful selection of images, truly enjoyable.
Ranunculus buchanii is indeed a very beautiful plant. I find a clear white in a plant very attractive and though clear bright white can be difficult to photograph you have produced excellent images.
The astelia is very interesting. Astelia nervosa has become quite popular here over the past few years and grows with ease, bulks up very quickly, divides easily, remains evergreen and adds a new dimension to our gardens. The flowers are not particularly attractive, a brownish affair and I have not had fruit on any of my plants. I also grow another astelia which is much smaller, perhaps 8 inches in height and it again grows very easily here. Its name escapes me at present.
The views were fabulous, cool enough on the summit, I imagine.
Paddy
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: David Lyttle on January 14, 2007, 09:26:39 PM
Paddy,
Very pleased that you enjoyed the photographs. We had a magnificent day. It started off clear and sunny not ideal for plant photography especially for white flowers but later on the mist started coming over and conditions for photography were perfect with very little wind to move flowers about. Started off in shirt sleeves and shorts at 8.00am and finished the day at 6.00 pm still in shirt sleeves and shorts.
Astelia linearis is very abundant covering huge areas in a turf. I have not had any success growing it despite trying several times as all other Astelia species are very easy. It may be that it needs constantly damp conditions.
More images to come.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 14, 2007, 09:54:17 PM
Superb pictures David. I didn't get high enough to R. buchananii and can only say "Oh God, oh God" in response to your image. I can imagine Cliff Booker going quietly out of his mind. Interesting variation in the flowers on different seedlings of the hybrid.
Good to see your own visage on the Forum too. I guess Anna took the picture? (Anna, for others, is a delightful and attractive German girl, currently working as a volunteer in the Dunedin Botanic Gardens. For one so slim and fit, she had an amazing liking for cakes with chocolate in them.)
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Susan on January 15, 2007, 03:50:57 AM
I have just been told that I have posted my last post twice. It still hasn't come up, but then I do have a very slow dial-up, so here goes with a few more from our day out. It was just so cool to have our lunch alongside the melting snow, surrounded by the most beautiful collection of Ranunculus,with lyalli, buchananii and their various crosses. Coming down was interesting as the snow tussock is very slippery and sitting down and using the grass as a roller coaster seemed the best method. When we finally arrived at the car park there was some discussion about Dave's top - some thought maybe he had washed it with his favourite red shirt. The whole point of that photo is of course to show that the Celmisias grow like weeds around the car park.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Susan on January 15, 2007, 03:58:03 AM
Here goes again with first posting. Having found out that there were 16 species of Celmisia seen, I am somewhat reticent to name anything! Firstly, Lesley, with my husband, David (a very popular name for those attending Alpine treks apparently), cutting Dave Toole's birthday cake. Then a series of photos of the countryside we saw. We thoroughly enjoyed the day. It was perfect weather and the privilege of being able to walk through and I have to say, unavoidably on,thousands of Celmisias, Anisotomes (one of my favourites), Drosera, Hebe, Aciphyllas and that old favourite, many more, was wonderful.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Susan on January 15, 2007, 04:26:22 AM
Just a couple more. Do not know what the bug is in the palm of the hand but maybe Anthony does. It was a little bit larger, but not much, than the sandflies that we were all plagued by during our stay at the Lodge itself. Up in the mountains they were less frequently encountered.
On our way home we went to have a look at Lake Monowai which was raised for hydro electric power, I believe, in the 1920's and at that time no attention was paid to the effects that this would have. The trees were just flooded and left to rot and still look appalling. Many year later many of us were protesters to stop Lake Manapouri from being raised in a similar manner. Public opinion swayed the decision and it is still there in its pristine glory. It has forests down to the edge of the water and is very beautiful and largely unspoilt. So far huge developers have not moved in and ruined it.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: hadacekf on January 15, 2007, 09:51:35 AM
I am always happy to see NZ plants, but I am unhappy because they do not grow in my garden.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: David Lyttle on January 15, 2007, 10:23:55 AM
Here are a few more images from Mt Burns. According to the list we compiled there were 16 species of Celmisia seen collectively by the party. I managed to photograph nine which leaves 7 unaccounted for.
Celmisia coriacea growing amongst tussocks A large tufted plant easily recognised by a very conspicuous orange midrib.
Celmisia verbascifolia. This is a very variable plant. Similar plants with brown tomentum on the undersides and margins of the leaf are known as Celmisia traversii. This particular form found on Mt Burns has variable amounts of brown tomentum round the leaf margins and a prominent purple midrib. It was formerly known as Celmisia petiolata. So you have a choice of three names to call these Celmisias.
Celmisia petriei Characterised by narrow leaves with the margins rolled inwards. Most plants were not flowering but here is one that was.
Celmisia viscosa More abundant in the drier eastern mountains of the South Island but but extends westward to the wetter margin of eastern Fiordland.
Celmisia holosericea A spectacular plant forming clumps. Unfortunatley not in flower. The plant on the left is Celmisia coriacea.
Celmisia hectori A snowbank plant forming extensive silvery mats.
Celmisia laricifolia A very common small alpine Celmisia.
Celmisia alpina Similar to Celmisa gracilenta but smaller and confined to bogs.
Celmisia sessiliflora Often forms hard tight cushions but the form here is much looser. It is flowering rather sparsely this season.
I thought I saw Celmisia bellidioides growing in the creek on the way up but did not locate it on the way down so missed out on a photo.
Franz, Celmisias do not grow in my garden either.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 15, 2007, 10:29:21 AM
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE PICTURE SHOW: SURELY THE MAN IN PINK!
I am really and truly enjoying these photographs, am fascinated by the whole setting and the great array of plants you all have shown us.
You may or may not realise that celmisias are as gold nuggets here and appreciated as an excellent, if sometimes difficult, garden plant. Helen Dillon's garden in Dublin and Harold McBride's in Lisburn are probably the best places to see them here in Ireland. Harold took a very keen interest in them for several years and grew as wide a selection as could be seen anywhere in these islands I imagine.
Susan's pinnatifida is the one which captures my heart; it's a wonderful plant.
Many thanks for the enjoyment. It's almost, though not quite, as good as being there with you.
Paddy
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 15, 2007, 10:37:31 AM
David,
On this side of the globe I don't think we would ever see such a comprehensive collection of celmesia species illustrated.
Many thanks, Paddy
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: David Lyttle on January 15, 2007, 10:44:21 AM
Paddy, There are still more images to come. I will post a couple of Aciphylla pinnatifida tonight but the rest will have to wait. The plants are growing almost in running water. There is a male plant and a female plant distinguished by the prominent orange bracts
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: t00lie on January 15, 2007, 11:49:11 PM
Now,now Paddy and loyal misguided friend :o I say to you both there is reason to my madness .My non dress sense is based on the idea that if i ever need rescued in the mountains bright colours stand out.Hence my liking for the pink shirt and purple trousers ,(on the old forum). In fact if it had been raining i would have been wearing a yellow raincoat.Pink-purple-yellow --now that's a combination easily spotted !! ::)
Cheers Dave.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Thomas Huber on January 16, 2007, 07:40:23 AM
Dave, that's exactly what I would have said if I were unmasked like you were 8) ;D ;)
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 16, 2007, 10:54:59 AM
David,
I am amazed at how wet the ground is in which the aciphylla are growing. I had imagined it would have been a drier situation as I find the lower leaves rot off here and I had attributed that habit to dampness. Obviously, I was completely wrong. Must reaccess my planting. Come to think of it, a few years ago I planted some in a raised bed where they were dry, particularly so in summer, and lost most of the plants. Perhaps, I should think a bit more of the reasons for failures rather than putting them down to the Irish explanation of, 'It died on me.'
Dave, Just one further question on your outfits: What colour handbag do you carry with this range of clothing?
Paddy
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: David Lyttle on January 16, 2007, 07:52:56 PM
Paddy,
Aciphylla is a large and diverse genus. Most species would prefer well drained situations. Aciphylla pinnatifida is perhaps an exception growing near or in running water. It is also a snowbank plant.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 16, 2007, 10:36:36 PM
David's right about A. pinnatifida liking lots of moisture and I've seen it growing quite literally under water but that's in the mountains. I've not succeeded with it for more than a couple of years but my late friend June Keeley who lived in Timaru on the east coast of NZ and whose summer is hotter and drier than that of Dunedin, grew it superbly for many years in her open garden, not much moisture at all and in full sun in ordinary "rose garden" soil with no added grit, humus or anything at all. It not only grew and flowered well but the females set seed regularly and the whole lot grew to a large mat of closely packed rosettes, from the stolens. So how can we explain that? June often dug outer rosettes and gave them away, including to me.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: KentGardener on January 17, 2007, 05:17:47 AM
the truth is out - Dave doesn't always wear pink, purple and yellow. He is trying to hide the truth by diving behind Aciphylla scott-thomsonii but I can definately see grey :D
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: t00lie on January 17, 2007, 08:00:00 AM
John --i remember that field trip as if it was yesterday.I was asked to stand behind the plant to give an idea of scale.Don't worry i was well away from the monster and my nostrils were safe. ;D
Anyway that was some years back.I was younger and (maybe over-)confident in my ability to stay out of danger in the 'hills'. I few years on and i'm a lot wiser.
Accidents do happen.Just this last fortnight 2 very experienced outdoor enthusiasts from overseas have been killed in separate incidents ,down this way, 'doing their thing'.
Paddy --It's not the colour of the handbag that matters--it's the label--gucchi--armani...... If it's good enough for an All Black rugby star to apply eye liner then i'll admit to wearing effeminate,(voluptuous :P ),colours :-*
Cheers new age Dave.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: David Lyttle on January 17, 2007, 09:32:54 AM
I got hold of a species list for Mt Burns today and there are 18 species of Celmisia listed so I managed to photograph 50%. There are five species of Aciphylla listed. I photographed three and saw another, Aciphylla lyallii, which is fairly inconspicuous and grass-like. I am posting the following images
Aciphylla congesta male and female plants, Aciphylla crosby-smithii which was not flowering and Anisotome capillifolia.
A view looking down the ridge of Mt Burns to Island Lake.
Geum uniflorum growing in abundance.
Ourisia sessilifolia, another plant growing and flowering in abundance.
The cushion forget-me-not, Myosotis pulvinaris growing higher up the ridge on an exposed scree.
Hectorella caespitosa growing in a similar position.
The tiny mat-forming Gaultheria, Gaultheria nubicola growing with Celmisia sessiliflora.
Dave, I would not presume to comment on your sartorial taste but I would never have taken you for a jaffa metrosexual not withstanding the comments on this forum.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: David Lyttle on January 17, 2007, 09:47:07 AM
Second thoughts, Dave, maybe the rot set in when Invercargill elected Tim Shadbolt as mayor.
Here are another couple of images which will do for the time being.
Haastia sinclairii growing in a blocky scree.
I could not resist this one, Bulbinella gibbsii var balanifera
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Ian Y on January 17, 2007, 09:58:21 AM
FAAAANTAAASTIC PICTURES EVRYONE.
THANK YOU
WHAT A WONDERFUL THING THE FORUM IS ALLOWING US ALL TO SHARE OUR EXPERIENCES, PICTURES AND PLANTS.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: David Lyttle on January 17, 2007, 10:06:12 AM
Ian ,
I think I can speak for all who participated in the trip. It was a perfect day on the mountain and it is our pleasure to share it with you all.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 17, 2007, 10:10:06 AM
THESE VIRTUAL MOUNTAIN TRIPS ARE A HIGHLIGHT OF MY DAY !! To see the scenery as well as the plants is just fantastic. I particularly like to see the male and female versions of the Aciphylla flowers, an added detail to the lesson. THANKS, NZers!!
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 17, 2007, 12:30:33 PM
Utterly brilliant, loved each and every posting you made and the photographs were outstanding, a great treat to be able to view them from the northern hemisphere.
Glad that you enjoyed the day out as I certainly did.
It strikes me that such outings are regularly the subject of articles for journals such as that of the SRGC or the AGS and, you know, they wouldn't be able to carry the number of photographs which we have viewed here. Don't we all give special attention to the photographs in these articles as they show what we really want to see, the plants. Here we have had them in abundance and in quality.
Paddy
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: John Forrest on January 19, 2007, 05:50:01 PM
Great pics Dave, obviously you are required to continue making forays into the wilderness to keep us all satisfied. ;D
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 19, 2007, 06:25:46 PM
Actually, I propose that the lot of them be sent off into the mountains for good. (so that they can send us back more photographs and stories of their adventures)
Paddy
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: t00lie on January 19, 2007, 11:38:59 PM
Aw Patrick if only if only ;).
While it wouldn't take much to convince me unfortunately most of us still have to earn a living on the 'flat'. In my case it will be for another 14 years until i reach the stage where i can retire and the Government supplements my roaming in the hills.
Now if i had been a lot wiser and maybe a bit luckier in my earlier adulthood i might have been able to look at taking early retirement in 3 or 4 years as a some of my friends are preparing to do :'( .In the meantime it's this weekend at home catching up on domestic chores >:( before heading away again.
Cheers Dave.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 21, 2007, 12:32:46 AM
Dave,
Heading away again - you can't complain too much then.
So, we can look forward to more photographs then?
Enjoy, Paddy
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Susan on January 21, 2007, 08:48:55 AM
It's the seed I'm looking forward to. That R buchananii would look just great next to my R lyallii, thanks Dave.....
Susan
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 24, 2007, 08:10:48 PM
Earlier in this thread, Dave Toole said "While I agree Ranunculus lyallii is beautiful ,the most spectacular one in my eyes is the yellow aff R. haastii ssp. pilifeus from the ST Mary Range in North Otago.The plants in this area have recently been recognised as a species in their own right.Unfortunately i have forgotten the new name,(duh!!!)." Ian Y. added that he had heard from aan SRGC chum with good NZ contacts that the name was, in fact: "R. acraeus, according to my informant, IY."
Guess what has just popped into our email box from my sister and her husband (Ann and Bill)in Dunedin? This clipping from their newspaper: they thought we'd be interested! YES!! [attachthumb=1]
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 24, 2007, 08:28:52 PM
Doesn't the world seem to get smaller and smaller so quickly.
Good one, Maggi. Very interesting.
Paddy
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 24, 2007, 10:00:33 PM
As Paddy says, Good one Maggi. It's quite readable when enlarged so I'll save a stamp and Cliff can read it here. Poor man, I can see him salivating already, rather like my dog when waiting for a (small) bite of Christmas cake. A disgusting sight!
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 24, 2007, 10:08:41 PM
Good of my Sis to send it through, eh? I don't think they knew we had been discussing it here, though they do visit the website. Nice to see the photo of the scrummy buttercup is taken by none other than SRGC member and chum, Ann Cartman. 'Tis a small world, isn't it? Best wishes to Ann and Joe, if you're out there!!
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: t00lie on January 25, 2007, 05:08:56 AM
A few years ago a small group of us were botanising on the Ohau Ski field in summer when we came across a Ranunculus in seed that looked a very vigorous form of haastii and even though since then i've seen R.acraeus on the St Mary Range ,(awakino) ,i never put 'two and two together'.
After reading the newspaper article above 'the penny has finally dropped' i now realise i was looking at the same species.
Cheers Dave.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: ranunculus on January 25, 2007, 07:35:24 AM
Salivating already?!! Disgusting sight?!! Lesley, Lesley....it's only another little buttercup!
(Excuse me whilst I away and wipe the drool from my jowls).
Who will be the first to get a Forrest or Farrer Medal with R. acraeus....my money is on a certain Mr Furness!
Superb article...many thanks dear Mrs Young.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: David Lyttle on January 25, 2007, 10:17:16 PM
For those interested in Ranunculus acraeus the relevant paper is Relationships in the alpine Ranunculus haastii ( Ranunculaceae) complex and recognition of R. piliferus and R. acraeus from southern New Zealand by Heenan et alNew Zealand Journal of Botany, 2006, 44: 425-441
There is an electronic PDF form available with good photographs
see here for Abstract : http://www.rsnz.org/publish/nzjb/2006/034.php
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 26, 2007, 01:49:17 AM
Unfortunately David, the PDF seems to be available only to members of the RSNZ. I couldn't log in to access it.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: David Lyttle on January 26, 2007, 09:50:52 AM
Lesley, you need to subscribe to the New Zealand Journal of Botany or have access to a library that subscribes to the electronic version of the journal to get full access to the paper. Usual copyright restrictions apply if you wish to download a personal copy. However some earlier RSNZ journals are available without restriction from their website.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: David Lyttle on January 29, 2007, 09:12:10 AM
Just back from a trip to the North Dunstan Range that was cut short due to the weather turning bad.. We were faced with high winds with sleety snow being driven horizontally on the crest, not at all pleasant.
First a view looking north east along the crest of the range
Now a picture of Myosotis oreophila first discovered by the botanist Petrie on Mt Ida 40 km to the East in 1891 and was known from only a single collection until it was re-discovered in 1987. At present it is known from a single population that is confined to an area of 0.5 ha.
Carmichealia crassicaulis (formerly known as Corallospartium crassicaule) dwarfed by effects of altitude and browsing. This plant is actually flowering.
Here is an un-named Raoulia.
Hebe buchananii flowering. Very common hebe common on the mountains of Central Otago but always attractive.
Finally Celmisia sessiliflora, a cushion forming celmisia here in full flower
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 29, 2007, 11:14:31 AM
You are having real trouble with your "summer" weather, aren't you, David? As unseasonable as our "winter" it seems. We are grateful to see that you are at least gettining some time in the mountains, before being blown home
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 29, 2007, 01:21:42 PM
David,
Delighted to have you posting again from the mountains. Must say I missed the photographs for the past while. They were a daily dose of enjoyment last time, so I am hoping you will post some more.
Paddy
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: David Lyttle on January 30, 2007, 09:56:04 AM
Hi Maggi, Paddy,
Summer is being much what it always is, the weather in the high mountains is notoriously unpredictable and getting a good day when you are there is a hit and miss affair. I did not get many pictures this time out as I had to put the camera away - it was getting a bit wet. It is also impossible to photograph anything that is not low growing as all the flowers are being blown around by the wind. Wind chill under these conditions is horrendous - your hands rapidly freeze up unless you are wearing gloves.
At this particular locality Celmisia sessiliflora was abundant and in full bloom. It is difficult to convey the effect of all the cushions flowering but it is certainly quite a magnificent sight. I hope to get away again soon so may be able to post some more photos.
For the time being I will post this photo of Euphrasia integrifolia from Mt Burns.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Paddy Tobin on January 30, 2007, 11:56:48 AM
David, That Euphrasia is an absolute dote.
Tough conditions experienced then on the mountains. And when we get these mountain plants to our gardens we molly coddly them - to death oftentimes.
Paddy
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: John Forrest on January 31, 2007, 09:59:02 PM
Very good of you to undergo the vagueries of the NZ high life to bring us pictures of beauties like the Euphrasia and all in the warmth and comfort of the computer room.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 31, 2007, 10:02:28 PM
I normally agree with all you say, Jof, and I am with you 100percent, that euphrasia is a real stunner, but "all in the warmth and comfort of the computer room"..... have to differ there, my toes is froze!
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: fermi de Sousa on January 31, 2007, 10:15:33 PM
tiddly pum
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on January 31, 2007, 10:18:56 PM
Quite, if I get your drift! [attach=1]
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: John Forrest on February 01, 2007, 06:11:21 PM
Fergie may have the answer!!
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: fermi de Sousa on February 01, 2007, 10:18:20 PM
Maggi got it in one. John, FerGie? cheers ferMi
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 02, 2007, 12:06:02 AM
Ah, that's probably it then. I couldn't work out the Fergie. Wondered if it was an illusion to that well known plump bear, and whether the well known Fergie, with her own well known connections to a well known weight watching group would be able to offer a solution to an only TOO well known comfortable shape.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: fermi de Sousa on February 02, 2007, 06:49:48 AM
A poem by Pooh Bear: whenever it snows tiddly pum nobody knows tiddly pum how cold my toes tiddly pum are growing (that's what my addled brain can remember it as!) perhaps this should be relegated to the "Weather Moans" topic? cheers fermi
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: John Forrest on February 03, 2007, 04:34:24 PM
Fergie as in Duchess of York as was. Tabloid pictures of toe sucking incident!! Could warm the old tootsies.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 04, 2007, 12:12:10 AM
Thanks John, I'm not so bright as I thought I was, though in fact I'm not remotely interested in royal goings on and when the present incumbent shuffles off at last, I shall be a confirmed republican for this this little bit of down under. Cheers.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: fermi de Sousa on February 04, 2007, 10:53:24 PM
Thanks for clearing that up, John! However it could lead to a bad case of "Athlete's mouth"! Getting back to the real topic of discussion, David, has anyone been able to establsih that myosotis (oreophila) in cultivation? cheers fermi
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: David Lyttle on February 06, 2007, 09:37:52 AM
Hi Fermi,
The short answer to your question is Myosotis oreophila has not been established in cultivation. However I have just germinated some seed. Please no requests as I have no seed to supply.
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Maggi Young on February 20, 2007, 11:29:10 PM
Hi, everyone, harking back to the discussion earlier in this thread about the newly named Ranunculus acraeus: At the Early Bulb Day in Dunblane last Saturday, someone had a copy of an article (from the Christchurch Times, I think) that was similar to the one from Otago that I showed Reply #67 on: January 24, 2007, 08:10:48 PM » http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=161.msg3809#msg3809 This however, using the same photo of the plant by Ann Cartman, also showed a photo of Joe Cartman, and itwas said that he was the discoverer of R. acraeus. Now, I'm not too sure about that bit, because I remember Hugh Wood telling us about the plant some years ago and I understood that it was he, Hugh, who had first found this different plant. I think it would have been Hugh who took Joe and Ann to see the plant. Perhaps the Christchurch paper was beefing up the local connection with the Cartmans?! Hugh, who has especial connections with North East Scotland and who is much admired here is such a modest soul that I wouldn't like to think he was being "missed out". Or I could be beefing up our local Aberdeen connections :-\ we'll find out the whole story sometime, I'm sure. These newpapers often get the wrong end ofthe stick. I think I gave links to the parts of the old forum where the plant was discussed before it was officially described, but I can't seem to find those now! I believe there are a couple of forumists and others who got seed of this lovely buttercup in the UK a few years ago... I hope those still are growing!
Title: Re: NZ Field trips January 2007
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 21, 2007, 01:59:43 AM
I'm pretty sure you are right Maggi, after all, this area is Hugh's particular stamping ground - his back door so to speak - and he's been botanizing here every since he came to NZ. And both Steve Newall and Bryan Davies would have met the plant well before the Cartmans I should think. Maybe Joe could give some dates?
I sent a little seed to both Ian of the Christie kind and Mr Buttercup in Whitworth but I never heard if it germinated. What I sowed myself, from the same batch (Dave T's collection) has certainly not come through.