Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => Travel / Places to Visit => Topic started by: t00lie on December 31, 2007, 10:27:04 PM
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Took the opportunity on the last day of the year to have a look around up country and field test the new camera.
From observations it's going to be a good if somewhat early flowering season.
I'll show the worse pic first,reluctantly included only as an example of how well the early Celmisias are blooming.
The shots do get better.Well i hope you all think they do!--Smile.
Celmisia semicordata
Raoulia grandiflora and close up
Caltha obtusa
Chionohebe densifolia as it is normally found as a single flower at the branch tip.
What i think is Chionohebe densifolia except multiheaded
Not sure of the flowering and berried ,(which was a separate plant),Gaultheria pics .David Lyttle will hopefully be able to confirm the id.
Finally Ranunculus pachyrrhizus --followed by a plant further advanced and to scale.
Cheers dave.
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oops ???
Chionohebe densifolia single
Multi headed
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They look great Dave. Hope you have recovered from Christmas and have survived New Year.
What sort of camera???? Have just bought a new one myself.
Happy New Year to you and Hilda,
Susan
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Much the best way to see in the New Year Dave, Not a hang-over in sight! ;D
I'm pretty sure the berries are of a Coprosma, not the Gaultheria. Could be C. perpusilla - or not. The Gaultheria could be G. nana - or not. :-\ But there is foliage and bud of the Gaultheria in the Coprosma pic, and to the bottom right of that pic, is the fruit of the Gaultheria, a rather dull and dried up fruit, compared with the large and succulent berries of G. depressa, for instance.
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Super shot of a very pretty little Ranunculus Dave....many thanks for posting!
.....And to everyone who contributes to, reads or administers this wonderful site....
HAPPY NEW YEAR
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Lesley on further investigation i think the first Gaultheria sps pic is of G. nubicola --it's pink lobes being the clincher.
As for the second pic --well spotted !!!--it never entered my mind at all that i had photographed two plants interwoven together.A closer look and i see a flower with a pink lobe and also a small green fruit in the faded background--these being the descriptions for G. nubicola .
As for the Coprosma --i guess we'll need to see the foliage to get a positive id.
Thanks Susan .I've handed my old compact Canon A35 ,(4 mgpx),on to my son and after reading a number of reviews and comparisons with other brands upgraded to a compact Canon A640,(10 mgpx), to improve /obtain more detail in my Macro shots.
Not yet up to the level of the Pauls ,the Cliffs,the Marks and others ,(names which escape me for the moment),of this forum ---but i'm seriously working on it !!!.Big Grin.
Thanks also Cliff--sure to be back up there later if you are interested in fresh seed.
Cheers Dave.
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Excellent pictures Dave. The detail and clarity in the flowers is phenomonal. The Gaultheria is G. nubicola, the Coprosma is C. perpusilla and just to be pedantic the Caltha is now known as Psychrophila obtusa.
Where were these shots taken? Garvies?
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Thanks David for your comments and id.
Wouldn't consider your words as being pedantic --my alpine plant interests are so broad i'm an apprentice of many ,a master of none.
In saying that i knew the new name of the Caltha--i just refuse to acknowledge the change however.......
Yes it was a visit to the Garvies.
PS --the new camera is a Canon A640 model not A650.--error maybe a result of looking at that many many makes over the last 3 weeks.
I've amended the original post above.
Cheers dave
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Hi Dave,
I love that Raoulia grandiflora. I have R. australis in a trough (and finally it seems to like the place and not dying as the others I had before) but this is more beautiful. What kind of habitat is that "Garvies"?
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Hi Dave,
So Garvies was correct which just goes to show you cant go posting plants on the internet without people knowing where you've been.
Kathrine,
Raoulia is a very diverse genus and the various species occupy a range of habitats ranging from lowland grassland to high alpine screes. In general they are plants of open stony places such as rock outcrops or shingle riverbeds. Raoulia australis is not a plant of the alpine zone being found mainly in depleted tussock grassland in the eastern part of the South Island ( altitudes below 1000 -1500 metres). It is common in the driest most barren parts of Otago where it forms tight cushions on areas that are mostly bare ground. Raoulia grandiflora is a true alpine being found in openings in other vegtation between 1000 -1900 metres.
Other species for example Raoulia eximia, Raoulia buchananii grow as massive cushions generally on rock outcrops. Hence the name vegetable sheep. Another species Raoulia youngii grows on very high alpine screes.
I have some pictures to post though not strictly alpine I will put them in this thread on the basis that one is of a Celmisia.
First is of Surat Bay, Catlins South Otago on the coast half way between Dunedin and Invercargill. A number of coastal representatives of predominantly alpine genera are found growing on the cliffs. Amongst these are Gentiana saxosa, Celmisia lindsayi, Anisotome lyallii. There is also a Pimelea and a Pratia.
Second is a picture of Celmisia lindsayii which forms massive cushions on the coastal cliffs. Originally all the land here was forested and the Celmisia was restricted to the cliff faces. Third picture is a close up of Celmisia lindsayi.
The fourth picture is of the shore spleenwort Asplenium obtusatum growing just above high tide line.
The fifth picture is the compound leaf of Schefflera digitata.
The sixth picture is of the tree fern Dicksonia squarossa. The seventh and eighth pictures are of a second species of tree fern Cyathea smithii. Two other species are found in the area, Dicksonia fibrosa and Cyathea dealbata but i do not have any pictures of them.
The final picture is of Metrosideros umbellata in full flower ( Southern rata). The tuis were squabbling over possession of the tree as it is a rich source of food (nectar) for them.
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Thanks a lot, David.
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Kathrine
The Garvies are a mountain area up in the northern part of my home province of Southland.
Not much i can add to what David has mentioned regarding Raoulia grandiflora except that while reading up on some background on the plant i found out it grows in the North Island as well as the South.
That's what i love about this Forum i'm being educated all the time.Smile.
I'm going back up there in a couple of weeks if you are interested in seed.Just send me a PM.
Cheers dave.
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You are really kind Dave. But I think it is not hardy in Zone 6 is it? (Though these years we obwiously slowly draw near Zone 8 ::))
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Hello Kathrine
You raise an interesting point.
Zone 8 is where we live on the coast.
It is much colder where Raoulia grandiflora lives in the wild and would guess if you have reliable snow cover ,(or prepared to place a cover overhead during winter), and do not experience deep penetrating ground frosts you may be okay.
You will also need to take into account any prolonged summer drought -- I find in the garden here
NZ alpines generally require some moisture at the root all year round.
Cheers Dave.
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Four of us, Dave Toole, myself, John Fitzgerald and Ian Young have been on a three day trip visiting various places in the lower South Island. This has been a special trip as we have had the pleasure of Ian's company. We visited two of the three sites we had originally planned to go to due to wet weather on the second day but enjoyed as an extra bonus a free night at a platial mountain lodge and a drive through the Nevis Valley ( 25 fords and 60 km)
We have returned Ian safely to Dunedin at estimated time of arrival (8.00pm) which was a minor miracle as we usually leave the mountain at dark or when the CF card is full - whichever happens first.
To reassure his nearest and dearest here are some shots of Ian...
On a boulder field on Mt. Burns
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We have had a great trip and have really enjoyed Ian's company. Sharing ones experiences over the forum is great - the real thing is even better.
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I will try again with the pictures- It is getting past my bedtime.
1 On the summit of the Old Man Range. The staggering gait is due to the fact that there is a gentle breeze blowing.
2 This one may or may not have supernatural significance.
3 Ranunculus lyallii
Edit from Maggi... I tried resizing David's pix but could only repost three, so sorry: Don't know what went wrong, it usually works okay! Will repost others in a later post.
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Fabulous pictures David - good to see Ian in such a good shape - but then again, he's being well looked after isn't he ? ;D
And you're right if you're saying Ranunculus lyallii is incomparable - what a stunner !!!! :o
I wonder what the comments will be when M. Ranunculus sees it ::)
Thanks a lot for showing and I hope there's more where this comes from !
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You are making my heart cry for those glorious mountains and those utterly beautiful buttercups David....so many thanks from a gloomy Lancashire. Farrer or Forrest Medal winners, every one of them!
Make sure young Ian has a dram or two to keep his strength up please.
Luc...you preceded me by about thirty two and a half seconds!!!
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I can tell you all that Ian is having a wonderful time: he was on the phone this morning, really enthused with all that he had seen, huge thanks to David, Dave and John Fitzgerald who took him on this wonderful trip. I do hope you all realise just how much he appreciates your kindness to him. Toolie send me a couple of photos, to prove Ian was still alive....must say, the thought of the lightweight Ian (who weighs about 8 stone ( 112 lbs/51 kilos) on top of a windblown NZ clifftop was worrying me slightly :-\ I hadn't thought to warn the two Ds to anchor him by a rope, ;) so they could retrieve the BD like a kite in the event of a strong gust!! ::)
Ian was thrilled to have been given the chance to see so many flowers and tells me the scenery is even better than I had imagined....Thanks again, David and Dave for taking time out of your busy lives ....and congratulations for returning according to schedule... most impressive... mind you, my sister Ann would have most likely hunted you down like dogs if you hadn't!! ;)
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This one may or may not have supernatural significance.
Well, to me, it shows that the BD is the light of my life.......but I think it ACTUALLY shows him GLOWING with pleasure from his trip!
By the way, reports just heard on the radio that localised flooding in the Whitworth area has been dismissed as being from a burst water main....the problem is now attributed to an unexplained outpouring of drool....... Cliff, control yourself!
Ranunculus lyallii is so lovely.....that's what I call a buttercup!
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Cliff,
I knew I'd have to be quick... ;D
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Trying again with David Lyttle's pix resized: click the pix to enlarge....
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Ranunculus buchananii from Mt Burns
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Flowers of Ranunculus buchananii
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Ranunculus pachyrrhizus from the Old Man Range
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Phyllachne rubra from the Old Man Range
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Yep....they are still as good Maggi.....
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That Ranunculs Lyalii is as spectacular as any plant I can think of - takes your breath away :o
This one may or may not have supernatural significance.
Well, to me, it shows that the BD is the light of my life.......but I think it ACTUALLY shows him GLOWING with pleasure from his trip!
Maggi it could also be the thought of being off the leash for a month or the BD has just asked beam me up Scottie ;D
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Ah ! the plans of mice and men.
I had planned to catch up on a days work before heading away to the NZAGS conference tomorrow however the trip down the Nevis has resulted in some minor repairs being required this morning on the Toyota.
While Davids 4 wheel tank handled the conditions easily the numerous water crossings saw my travel at one stage down to 2 cylinders --not helpful when trying to negotiate a steep incline with minimal braking power because of wet brake pads.
In saying that it was a great 3 days, lots of laughs as well as some serious discussions on the state of the planet etc etc and generally a good flowering season in the areas we visited.
Am running out of time so just a few pics,(i'm sure David hasn't finished his postings) --- however as i plan to be out in the field in Canterbury post conference there are bound to more to follow from moi .
Cheers dave.
1 Mt Burns--Fiordland.Having parked our vehicle we have made our way up the forested ridge past the smaller Tarns on the left to climb onto the ridge proper to reach about 5000 ft.
2 Hectorella caespitosa closeup.
3 Dolichoglottis hybrid.
4 Further look deep into Fiordland.
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some serious discussions on the state of the planet
Sounds familiar..... so the BD has been pontificating again, has he?
So good of you Guys to take such time and trouble to make this trip with Ian.....I really do know how much he appreciates that.
Terrible news about Gertie! I wish her well.
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Hi Cliff, Maggi, Luc. Ian , Dave
Dave, glad you got home - the drive through the Nevis was a bit of an epic especially that one ford.
Ian, Ranunculus lyallii has become a bit of photographic cliche as the plant is so spectacular and everyone takes photos of it and it ends up on placemats etc. When I saw the plant Dave, John and Ian were well down the mountain ahead of me so despite myself I stopped and took the picture. The wind was blowing the plant around a bit but picture came out. It is very hard to walk past such a spectacular plant.
Here are a couple of pictures specially for Cliff - I dont know if they will win any medals. Both Ranunculus buchananii and Ranunculus pachyrrhizus are snow bank plants so I would imagine they are difficult to flower in cultivation. The Ranunculus buchananii on Mt Burns are especially prolific and robust plants possibly due to the introgression of genes from Ranunculus lyallii. Ian found a hybrid in flower and was searching for a species name for it, Unfortunately I had to disappoint him.
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"Terrible news about Gertie! ".
You are up late Maggie.
For those interested 'Gertie 'is the name i have given to the Toyota.
Maggie---I hate to mention this but we even took a few minutes ,(well actually an hour or two) to discuss *Morris Dancing---you know the bashing of the sticks --waving of the white handkerchiefs and all that !!.
*On reflection i now believe we must have been suffering from cabin fever at that stage.
I have more free time than i thought so rightio--a final few from the Old man Range yesterday.
Cheers Dave.
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A few more shots from Mt Burns these are approximately in chronological sequence ascending and descending.
Dave Toole and Ian Y moving up the little spur to the first basin. Borland Saddle where the car was parked is just above and to the left of Ian's head.
Emerging into the first basin. The route goes up the bump in the foreground,drops down again and climbs up the lip left centre to the prominent hanging valley.
Dave Toole standing by a small tarn.
Looking south down to a large tarn and across to the upper Grebe Valley into the heart of Fiordland
Ian Y stalking a Celmisia.
Above the lip of the hanging valley the route continues up a large stream to a second basin. The next photo is taken here where we have stopped to look at some hybrid Celmisias.
The valley more or less terminates at the skyline and drops steeply into a cirque on the other side. On the other side there is another steep-sided glacial hanging valley with a lake at the bottom of it.
We stopped at this large tarn to eat our lunch. Ranunculus buchananii and Dolichoglottis scorzoneroides are found growing on the boulder slope below the bluffs (centre) and in the little streams running down to the tarn. They are snowbank plants that emerge and flower when the snow melts.
Looking eastwards from the top of Mt Burns across the Waiau Valley to the Takatimu Mountains. The northen side of Mt Burns drops precipitously to the south branch of the Borland Burn which then turns to the north. (this causes a degree of confusion!)
Looking back down to the tarn where we stopped for lunch. The hanging valley with the lake is on the left an the boulder slope is on the right. The peak to the south (centre of picture) is Mt Cleughearn.
Actually we are not descending on this post this will have to wait as will any more plant pictures.
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Oh boy....oh boy......!
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How beautiful the scenery is, never mind the flowers! Little wonder Ian is so delighted to have been taken on this trip. Seeing the Ourisia reminds me, sadly, that we used to grow quite a selection of these charming plants but they seem to have dwindled away without us taking the trouble to get seed from them. It's too easy to do that in the garden, isn't it? A good lesson never to take anything for granted :-[
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Hi Maggi,
No doubt Ian will have lots of pictures to show you but here are a couple of Ourisia pictures in the mean time.
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Beautiful mountains, beautiful plants
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David, Ourisia remotifolia is not one we ever had... what a super flower colour with that purple thtoat... our favourite ! Love those leaves, too.... and growingin the rocks ...is there any running water nearby or are they happy in dryish rock crevices?
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Maggi,
Its all damp as it is a snowbank area where they are growing.
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Thought as much., with the moss in the closeup pic, now that I take a longer look. .... thanks David.
Are you not going to the Study Weekend? They'll miss you if not :-X
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Hi All, A quick report to say that we have arrived at the University for the conference my first lecture is in 3 1/2 hours time at 7.30 so I am off to find my room and have a shower.
As you can see from the Daves posts we had a fabulous time and saw a heap of wonderful flowers - the scenery is stunning and so was the company.
After a night in a wind and rain soaked hut we are now ready to rule the world - as for Morris Dancers............... :-X
There is another great week of field trips planned for next week and I hope to get another Morris Dancing Lesson from Dave Toole ;)
I hope to have lots of good pictures to post when I get back and catch up.
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Hello, Ian.... great to hear all is going well.. but you could at least try to sound a bit like you miss me and Lily ;) Hope you "sock it to 'em" and that Finn is safely arrived. Best wishes for a great weekend!
M
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I was going to ask how Lily was bearing up.
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I was going to ask how Lily was bearing up.
Lily thanks you kindly for your concern, David ;) She is not at all happy... she is very much a "daddy's girl" and she stops in her tracks to study anyone passing or within spying distance, while we are out walking, to make sure it's not Ian. She is especially enthusiatic about her guard duties in Ian's absence... she has just been growling and woofing menacingly at an innocent womann walking past the house. This hypersensitive guard dog mode is not helped by the fact that because of road and gas works in the area, there are temporary traffic lights set up near the house so cars are stopping ( for the lights) and she thinks that means visitors... who might, it seems, provea dire threat. ::) Bless her, she is only doing what Ian told her to do... look after Maggi, he said..... she is just taking it very seriously. Wwhen I'm speaking to her, she tends to gaze wistfully past me, as if in hope of conjuring up a vision of her beloved master..... I know well enough where I stand in the pecking order of this household.. :-[
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Ah!
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Since I appear to be first back on line I will post one picture from the post conference field trip to Mt Hutt.
Leptinella atrata
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Wow, David,
A fascinating plant, interesting rather that strikingly beautiful, I suppose but would certainly be worth growing in the garden. Many thanks.
Paddy
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I agree that "fascinating" is the right word here Paddy - it could be extraterrestrial... ;D
David, I'm sure we're all looking forward to (lots) more !!
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Leptinella atrata gets even more "fab"; when the flowers open there is a coronet of gold ....sure there's been a pic on the Forum somewhere of that... old or new forum, that is the question!
A really super plant and one that does well in the UK , either as a show plant or in a trough or raised bed.
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Hmm, I may be wrong... I have found here :http://www.srgc.org.uk/discus/messages/283/20883.html in a message from Dave Toole Posted on Sunday, November 13, 2005 - 2:49 am: a photo of Leptinealla atrata luteola .... another great plant but not what I was looking for!!
David, I'm not getting muddled, am I? Leptinella atrata will show a circle of golden stamens and a flash of red, too, when the flowers are more developed.... between the outer "fluffy" dark red, almost black area and the button centre?
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Maggi,
Leptinella atrata var luteola has yellow florets with dark red tips. A second species Leptinella dendyi resembles ssp luteola but differs in details of the flower. Here is another picture showing the stamens of Leptinella atrata sitting up above the rest of the flower.
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I should have a few pics to post later today when some urgent watering is done and equally urgent house cleaning, since my sister is arriving tomorrow for a few days.
The Leptinellas were beautiful, with some very large plants, bigger than I've seen before. Overall the flowering wasn't great on other things but there was evidence of seed of Ran. haastii and R. crithmifolius. The latter was at the dropping stage but we weren't allowed to take any seed or cuttings at all. The area is a consevation reserve. Makes me mad since the ski people bulldoze any and every thing in their way, for new tracks and tows, with no compunction about destroying the flora at all.
I did turn rocks in order to find an alpine weta for Maggi, but she'll be relieved to know, I found none. Lots of sheep though. Whole flocks of them.
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I did turn rocks in order to find an alpine weta for Maggi, but she'll be relieved to know, I found none.
PHEW! What a relief! :P
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I have been waiting for some postings on the post NZAGS Conference trip to Mt Hutt but it appears that most of the participants have gone to ground. When I come to think about it, Dave Toole spent a lot of time looking for money beneath the chair lifts and Lesley was too preoccupied turning over rocks looking for wetas to photograph plants. Dave at least found three dollars though it seems Lesley found nary a weta. I found twenty cents only and a set of house and car keys which leads me to think that someone had a memorable/forgetable ski trip.
Mt Hutt is made from fairly typical Canterbury rubbish rock- shattered greywacke and consequently has strongly developed screes. Photograpy was was a bit challenging as it was a very sunny day with strong direct light. However in these situations Photoshop is able to rescue indifferent images.
Without further ado I will post the first set of images
1,2,3 Raoulia eximia Shot 1 shows plants of Raoulia growing on a rocky crag. Many a dog has been sent off to muster a mob of immovable sheep. Note the steeply dipping rock strata of grey and darker rock. Shot 2 shows a single plant and shot 3 shows the plant up close.
4,5,6 show Haastia sinclairii - this my identification of the plant. It could however be Haastia recurva as it is quite unlike Haastia sinclairii further south. Shot 4 shows a large Haastia cushion growing in a fairly blocky scree. Shot 5 shows the foliage of the plant and shot 6 is a closeup of the flowers.
The next two pictures are of Ranunculus haastii showing the habit of the plant. there are only one or two rossette per plant. It typically grows on the finer more mobile screes that are damp underneath.
Picture 9 show the cryptic buttercup Ranunculus crithmifolius. It was growing on a band of the darker rock
shown in picture1 that had been eroded into a shallow gully giving it some moisture. It was difficult to spot against the fine scree in which it grew. There is a seedhead almost hidden by the foliage in the centre of the plant.
Picture 10 shows another scree specialist Lobelia roughii growing in a more blocky scree.
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Finally arrived home last night after visiting a couple of ski fields further up country following the NZAGS Conference /Mt Hutt field trip.Will try and post pics of these new areas later this week .
In the meantime in between looking for coinage up on Mt Hutt i did manage a few pics.
Firstly a close up of the tall Gentiana corymbifera.
Acaena sps.
Followed by a look at the screes within the ski field.
A look down to the Rakaia River out across the Canterbury Plains.
A bit of colour on the slopes.
Cheers Dave.
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Hi Dave
Looking forward to seeing your pictures from the other mountains.
The Acaena is Acena glabra.
I have some further pictures from Mt Hutt- continuing with the srcee theme pictures 1 and 2 are Epilobium species. One could be almost tempted to grow them!
Picture 3 is Colobanthus acicularis ( for all those Colobanthus devotees out there)
Picture 4 is Hebe haastii growing on a bare scree.
Picture 5 is Leptinella pyrethifolia ( I had it labelled Cotula pyrethifolia so had to change it )
Pictures 6 and 7 are Brachyglottis lagopus. It is larger and more tomentose then Brachyglottis bellidioides.
Picture 8 is Craspedia incana.
Picture 9 is the opening flowers of Lecogenes grandiceps. This plant grows on rock outcrops rather than screes but somtimes it is hard to tell if there is anything solid underneath the shattered rock.
Picture 10 is a grasshopper. Its kin were up there in their legions. It is not as ugly as a weta. Sorry if I have disappointed anyone.
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Dave and David,
Fascinating plants. Fantastic.
Dave, this Acaena ssp. would be really a plant for taking into culture?
David, this Craspedia looks in nature 10 times nicer than in our gardens.
Thaks very much!
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You'd need a helluva size of a sheepdog for herding those vegetable sheep, wouldn't you?
I'm with Luit on the charm of the Acaena glabra....great foliage.
The Brachyglottis lagopus is fantastic....all that fur and such neat "stitching" around the leaf margins... very elegantly tailored and a good flower shape/size, too. Some of these "daisies" seem to get their proportions wrong, don't they? ???
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My "favorite" is the Leucogenes grandiceps. :) So beatuiful flowers!
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Quote--"Dave, this Acaena ssp. would be really a plant for taking into culture?".
Hello Luit --Not sure how the plant behaves in the garden ,(makes mats over 30 cm wide in the wild).I see seed is listed by B&T seeds.
Cheers dave.
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Thank you Dave.
Comparing to these mats of 30 cm, could you tell me what measures for instance have the
Acaena microphylla types in the wild.?
These are plants which we only know from culture.
What I like most on this Acaena ssp. are the flowerheads over these nicely formed glabrous leaves.
Regards Luit
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Here is my last batch of photos from Mt Hutt
1 and 2 are Gentiana corymbifera. This species is monocarpic,
Picture 3 is Gentiana divisa. (at least I think it is- NZ gentians are very difficult to identify in the field)
Picture 4 is Celmisia spectabilis var magnifica. This plant does not extend as far south as Otago.
Picture 5 is Celmisia angustifolia
Picture 6 is Aciphylla montana ( I could stand corrected on this identification - again it is a plant I am not familar with)
Picture 7 is a small Wahlenbergia species. It is similar to Wahlenbergia albomarginata but the flowers seem smaller and more intensely coloured
Picture 8 is Pratia macrodon. We observed a smaller as yet unamed species of Pratia on the Old Man Range the previous week. Peter Heenan presented his taxonomic findings on New Zealand Lobeliaceae during the conference where he recognised the entity from the Old Man Range as a distinct species more closely related to Lobelia linnaeoides . It was good to see both species growing in the wild within the space of a few days.
Picture 9 is the coral broom Carmichealia crassicaulis (formerly Corallospartium crassicaule)
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Hello Luit,
Most Acaenas are fairly vigorous plants when taken into culture. there are numerous forms , hybrids etc that can be selected from the wild. The larger species are not suitable for gardens and are regarded as pasture weeds here in New Zealand. The burrs get stuck in the fleeces of sheep and can cause considerable economic loss. Some species do not have spines so are more suitable for gardens. A cotted cat is not a pretty sight. One of my family's childhood pastimes was to make a ball of ripe Aceana seedheads and throw it at a brother or sister where it would disintegrate and stick to the targets clothing. Generally my mother was not pleased and discouraged this particular game!
I have a few species growing in my garden. I will take some pictures and post them to show thw range of species/ forms that may be found.
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Many thanks David.....wonderful images! What? No snowdrops? :D :D :D
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I have a few species growing in my garden. I will take some pictures and post them to show thw range of species/ forms that may be found.
You make me curious David.
Luit
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Trip into North Canterbury /Nelson Lakes areas post NZAGS conference --part 1 .
As my previous botanizing endeavours had been limited to about half way up the South Island it was a wonderful opportunity to see alpines i'd never seen in the wild.Hopefully i have identified the plants correctly.
First ski field visited was Mt Lyford-- Nth Canty.Access required an effort with shovel and pick!!!.However that is another story.
Haastia pulvinaris has a strong sweet fragrance that can easily be picked up on the breeze.While the large sheep like cushions can appear smooth like at a distance the flowering 'branches' give it a surprisingly knobby effect.
On the more mobile screes were some gems ...
Most were difficult to spot being well camouflaged as the colour of the scree stones.
I found if i looked up slope they were easier to find.
eg the Haastia recurva ? pic.
David showed a shot of Lobelia roughii from Mt Hutt .Here it is again on Mt Lyford--a great combination of dark grey leaves with bronze coloured edges/yellow tips.
Something has had a nibble on Lignocarpa carnosula ?
Came across this fella a bit further on looking at home on the scree.
In tussock herb field Celmisia incana
Finally not a particularly good shot but one of interest to the forum in that i'm sure i see Ian ,(yellow backpack),giving his captive ? group a quick lesson in the art of Morris Dancing.Wink.
Parts 2 & 3 to follow when time allows.
Cheers Dave.
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It's Waitangi Day here ,a public holiday in celebration of the signing of the treaty in 1840 between the Maori and Crown ,(representatives of the English Queen), and too hot to be working outside in the garden so here goes Part 2 .
The next day travel was via the Clarence River valley to Lake Tennyson and over Island Pass.
In the river valley Aciphylla subflabellata
At Lake Tennyson Gentiana corymbifera were everywhere.
The lake is the source of the Clarence.
On the gravel fans that have been swept down from above Helichrysum depressum --such a dead looking plant until flowering time--again a plant with a strong sweet scent which wafts through the air.
A view of the lake with Aciphylla aurea in the forground.
On Island Pass and a bit further on the screes were home to ..
Wahlenbergia cartilagina and
a plant i most wanted to see Notothlaspi rosulatum--unfortunately they were past flowering and to my eye the faded flowering stems gave the plant a scruffy look --fabulous basal leaves however.Again something has had a feed.
Part 3 still to come.
Cheers dave.
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Rightio Part 3.
The following morning after a nights rest at St Arnaud in the Nelson Lakes area Rainbow Ski Field beckoned.
The view from the vehicle as we travelled up the forested valley.
Fields of Ourisia macrocarpa in cool seepage areas.
Once at the ski field proper some interesting plants were found around the large tarn.
Including a Myosotis sps.
Upon reaching the ridgeline there was a nice shot of Lake Rotoiti back towards St Arnaud and the other way of Haastia pulvinaris in the distance.
Every 100 metres or so all around the valley there were bait stations for stoats /rats.Apparently volunteers check/ reset them quite often.Here is one along the highest ridge .We saw ,(or at least smelled), a couple that had expired long overdue residents.
Finally upon returning to our accommodation at St Arnaud we noticed a flock of about a dozen birds resting on the power line into the building.All except one would fly off when approached --I'm told they could be Swallows.If so another first for moi.
I've tried to give a brief idea of the terrain and small sample of the plants seen.No doubt Ian will have plenty to post once he has settled back home.
Cheers dave.
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Thanks for the great pictures, David and Dave - mine are still in the camera!
Finn will be home by now and Ian on his way, so hope they've had a good time down here, that we didn't work them too hard at the conference or play too hard in the week following! It was a real treat for us to have Ian and Finn visit, they complemented each other and our home-grown speakers so well and were such good company. Such good company in fact, several people suggested we have our next Study Weekend in Tromso or Aberdeen, so be warned!
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Great stuff David and Dave !
Thanks for sharing these, for us, inaccessible beauties ! :D
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Great stuff Dave, thanks for these pics of areas I've not visited but heard such a lot about from those who have. Really good to SEE what's there.
I hope Ian and Finn arrive or have already arrived home safely and that they enjoyed their short time "down under." It was a great thrill and privilege for us, to meet them both and hear and see their super talks.
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Ian is flying between Singapore and London, Lesley. He should get to Heathrow at 5.30 tomorrow morning.
If all is to time and transfer to other terminal is quick, he should catch the 7.05 to Aberdeen and be on Scottish soil at about 8.35 am........ that means he'll get stuck in the rush hour traffic on the airport road, so he may be home by next Tuesday!! :-\ Or, with luck, he may be here before Lily has had her morning bark at the Postman :D
He has had the most marvelous time, loved the country and was so pleased to meet up with friends old and new.....I can only thank you all for taking such good care of him ! 8)
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Finally my mt Hutt pictures are findable. don't know what the problem was but it's sorted now. So although out-of-date, I'll post a few here. I'll try not to duplicate others' pics.
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Mt Hutt has a wonderful view across the Canterbury Plain to the sea, a bit hazy on the day but beautiful, all the same from the ski basin.
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Whether these veg. sheep couldn't bring themselves to take the plunge I don't know but there were many huddled at the side of the bungy jump. Proves sheep aren't so silly after all ;D
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Mt Hutt has several Epilobium species and I've no idea what this is but it was lovely. Strictly for the hills though - an utter disaster in the garden due to its propensity for shedding its fine, fluffy seed in every direction and into every cushion.
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The low, clumping gentian (gentianella now) at Mt Hutt is apparently G. divisa. It is multi-stemmed and can be grown quite successfully in pure gritty sand. It is short-lived however, perhaps 2 or 3 years max.
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The biggest plant I've ever seen of Cotula atrata.
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And one of the very best I've seen of Leucogenes grandiceps which usually grows in thin, straggling lines messed with grasses and weeds
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The little harebell Wahlenbergia albomarginata is from white to a decent blue. This one was deeper coloured than the picture shows, a pretty and very growable plant.
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Canterbury is famous for its braided rivers which start high in the mountains and run through the Plain to the sea. This is the largest, the Rakaia River, said to be the inspiration for Beth Chatto's dry, riverbed garden.
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Raoulia eximia, best known of the vegetable sheep grows here in great flocks, often spilling down the hill as if the seed has washed down perhaps hundreds of years ago to start big colonies. They are very impressive.
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Otto tried a bit of sheep wrangling.
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This one's strictly for Maggi and Lily. I wanted Ian to sit on a sheep but he was reluctant, even though they are very hard. One could jump up and down on them and do no harm.
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Thanks, Lesley! My boy the BD looks happy!
Poor Otto, there he is, up a mountain and someone has glued him to a sheep and then glued a lamb to his hat, but still he smiles.....probably thinking of a barbecued chop ....or perhaps Ian has given Otto his favourite MacBab recipe? A MacBab is a kebab made with lamb, marinated in honey and whisky .... YUMMY!
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Wonderful pictures Lesley! I like it when plants are shown with some surroundings.
From these habitats you can learn the most how eventually they would like it in the garden.
Thank you for sharing with us.
Luit
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As ever, from the southern hemisphere, a magnificient photographic display of the most excellent and interesting plants and all in such splendid scenery.
Many, many thanks for the enjoyment you have given.
Paddy
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Many thanks from me too. :-* :-* :-*
You have wonderful plants down there in NZ, and you all make wonderful pics! Watching them I feel like I was there too. :)
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Many thanks to you all for making me drool like a bloodhound at feeding time....
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Hi Dave, Lesley
Nice to see photos of plants that I have not seen before especially the Wahlenbergia cartilaginea.
I spent a little time in the Otago Botany Dept herbarium today looking at specimens of Haastia sinclairii, Haastia sinclairii var fulvida and Haastia recurva. I came to the conclusion the plants we saw on Mt Hutt were Haastia recurva, the recurved nature of the leaves being more evident on dried rather than fresh specimens. I found the descriptions in the Flora totally confusing. The pictures I posted earlier in this thread should therefore be labelled be Haastia recurva. Your Haastiia recurva looks a bit like Haastia sinclairii to me - I am basing my ID mainly on the prominent veins on the back of the leaves. As for var fulvida there is a diverse assemblage of plants in the folders but I would not be confident in identifying it in the field.
With the Lignocarpa you have a choice of two and I am not going to disagree with identification.
I will post a picture of Notothalaspi rosulatum in flower to show what a truly odd plant it is.