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General Subjects => Travel / Places to Visit => Topic started by: kiwi on February 02, 2011, 08:05:50 AM

Title: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: kiwi on February 02, 2011, 08:05:50 AM
Had a great weekend on the NZAGS field trip.
We experienced some pretty harsh summer weather - sideways hail/snow, rain and bone chilling winds.
We all toughed it out and were rewarded with beautiful afternoons and amazing plants! :)
Craspedia incana.
Craspedia uniflora - white and yellow forms.
Ranunculus crithmifolius in seed.
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: ranunculus on February 02, 2011, 08:11:54 AM
Magnificent Doug ... you know which image really interests me?  :D
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: kiwi on February 02, 2011, 08:15:46 AM
I can guess ;)

Aciphylla montana
Gentiana corymbifera heaven
Acipphylla dobsonii
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: ranunculus on February 02, 2011, 08:22:38 AM
Your images are stunning ... congratulations.
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: kiwi on February 02, 2011, 08:29:59 AM
Cheers mate,

Celmisia spectabilis var magnifica
Celmisia semicordata
Celmisia sessiliflora and hybrid.
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: kiwi on February 02, 2011, 08:42:33 AM
Some of the tarns on Mt Dobson and Fox peak - beautiful!
Anisotome species
Myosotis pygmaea.
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 02, 2011, 05:37:45 PM
Super pics Doug. Surely the Aciphyllas have never flowered so well. The montana and dobsonii are incredible. Gentiana too.
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: David Lyttle on February 03, 2011, 10:07:35 AM
Great pictures Doug.  Do you have more pictures of the Aciphylla dobsonii as your plant looks a bit different to the ones here in Otago.

Here are a couple of things I saw this morning. The Parahebe has been considered extinct at this particular location (collected in 1896 apparently no records since) until one of my botanist friends rediscovered it recently.

Parahebe canescens
Lobelia perpusilla
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 03, 2011, 07:06:58 PM
I love Parahebe canescens and had it years ago but lost it in a hot summer. Someone was holding one for me but because I didn't have something he wanted right then, he chose not to let me have it. Hope I wouldn't be so miserable. :(
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: kiwi on February 04, 2011, 03:12:20 AM
Hi David, heres 2 more plants found on Mt Dobson. (Aciphylla dobsonii)
Nice plant of Leucogenes  grandiceps
Hebe species.
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: kiwi on February 04, 2011, 03:18:48 AM
Sorry, as above (uploading hassles again)
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: David Lyttle on February 04, 2011, 09:26:26 AM
Hi Doug,

It seemed the rosettes on your Aciphylla dobsonii were not as tight as the oneson the Otago specimens but seeing your last pictures I think any difference is inconsequential.

Your Hebe sp is Pimelea traversii, a Pimelea that looks like a Hebe. Here are pictures of Pimelea traversii and Hebe pimelioides taken on the St Bathans Range last month for comparison
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: Lvandelft on February 04, 2011, 04:16:40 PM
Wonderful pictures Doug.
I mostly love the shots like those of  Craspedia incana which shows the growing habitat. It’s like being there live, instead of virtually. And such pictures give some clues about growing circumstances as well.
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: ichristie on February 05, 2011, 12:54:45 PM
Hell9o Doug, thanks for those superb pictures again I wish I was with you, has your hand healed up now??,  cheers Ian the Christie kind.
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: kiwi on February 06, 2011, 06:58:07 AM
Hi David, thanks for the ID correction.

Ian, Lvandelft, thanks guys, the hand is slowly coming right, heaps of physio to go though.

Doing some alterations in the garden today and dug up a couple of NZ Giant worms.
Thought someone may be interested.
My daughter and I are fascinated by them, We've found some even bigger here before!
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: ranunculus on February 06, 2011, 08:39:33 AM
Hi Doug,
What are the enormous leaves in the background?   They don't look right for Myosotidium Hortensia.
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: kiwi on February 06, 2011, 08:59:28 AM
Excuse the weeds!!!
The plant is Ligularia reniformis, (used to be Farfugium I think)
One of my favourate shade perennials.
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: ranunculus on February 06, 2011, 09:58:17 AM
Many thanks Doug ... now you mention it the name springs to mind!!!   :D
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 06, 2011, 09:24:33 PM
When we ladies call some grotty man a worm, it like that, we really mean. definitely NOT applicable to Forumists, but the occasional person out in the other world. ;D
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: gelene on February 07, 2011, 05:52:16 AM

Gorgeous photos.

I love that Aciphylla dobsonii; is it completely impossible to grow in cultivation, or just incredibly rare? I never see seeds of it available....

Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: David Lyttle on February 07, 2011, 09:53:20 AM

Gorgeous photos.

I love that Aciphylla dobsonii; is it completely impossible to grow in cultivation, or just incredibly rare? I never see seeds of it available....



Aciphylla dobsonii is not particularly rare. It grows on the high mountains/plateaux in the eastern part of the South Island (South Canterbury /North Otago) at about 1500- 2000 metres. Conditions are very exposed windy and bleak. The plants that you see in the postings are likely to be very old possibly over 100 years. Aciphyllas do not flower consistently every year so often there is very little seed to be found.
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 07, 2011, 09:25:42 PM
But as this year's flowering on so many things is so very good, perhaps those who are able to get into the mountains could remember to collect seed for the various lists, especially the local (and therefore fresher) lists. A. dobsonii and all aciphyllas germinate very easily if the seed is fresh. They grow on well too in the right composts.
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: Hoy on February 07, 2011, 09:39:27 PM
Magnificent Doug ... you know which image really interests me?  :D
That plant interests me! Anybody growing it in the garden?
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: Hoy on February 07, 2011, 09:42:40 PM
Hi David, thanks for the ID correction.

Ian, Lvandelft, thanks guys, the hand is slowly coming right, heaps of physio to go though.

Doing some alterations in the garden today and dug up a couple of NZ Giant worms.
Thought someone may be interested.
My daughter and I are fascinated by them, We've found some even bigger here before!
Are they usable as bait :o
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: ranunculus on February 07, 2011, 09:50:59 PM
Magnificent Doug ... you know which image really interests me?  :D
That plant interests me! Anybody growing it in the garden?


I suspect you will get very few affirmatives Trond ... I have kept it going a couple of times in pots and it occasionally appears on the show benches here in the U.K..  See of this gem is always eagerly sought.
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: Hoy on February 07, 2011, 10:00:01 PM
Magnificent Doug ... you know which image really interests me?  :D
That plant interests me! Anybody growing it in the garden?


I suspect you will get very few affirmatives Trond ... I have kept it going a couple of times in pots and it occasionally appears on the show benches here in the U.K..  See of this gem is always eagerly sought.
I suppose you are right, Cliff! (As always ???) Growing in pots isn't my way anyway, I prefere growing plants in the ground ;)
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: kiwi on February 07, 2011, 10:02:34 PM
Hoy, bait? I feed a family of four on one on those! ;)
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: Hoy on February 07, 2011, 10:06:52 PM
Hoy, bait? I feed a family of four on one on those! ;)
Yeah, that's very clever kiwi ;D I have read that worms are very nice food with the right kind of fat and amino acid content to be very nourishing! ;)
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 14, 2011, 12:34:49 AM
Small trip on Sunday afternoon, never expecting to see native plants except Aciphylla aurea, but was delighted to see the following and collect seeds for the exchanges. The trip was to look at the windtowers at Lake Mahinerangi wind farm. Perhaps David or Dave would give correct names for me please.

Gaultheria depressa

Small orchid

Euphrasia, Pernettya and hawkweed.jpg

Raoulia species
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 14, 2011, 12:39:47 AM
Having difficulties getting message and pictures in the same place.
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 14, 2011, 12:42:28 AM
Cyathodes species

Pentachondra pumila

Gentianella species

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

Earlier someone asked about seed of the Pentachondra. I don't remember who it was, but I have some fresh seed now if whoever it was is interested. I think it was after a very good picture of David's.
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 14, 2011, 12:51:28 AM
I don't know the name of this little lake. Maybe it doesn't have one.

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

Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: kiwi on February 15, 2011, 07:27:42 AM
Punakaiki, West Coast. Home of the 'Pancake rocks' and habitat of Craspedia uniflora var robusta (or 'Punakaiki')
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: David Lyttle on February 15, 2011, 10:26:42 AM
Having difficulties getting message and pictures in the same place.

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

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

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

4 Raoulia subsericea (common in depleted grassland)
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: David Lyttle on February 15, 2011, 10:39:13 AM
Cyathodes species

Pentachondra pumila

Gentianella species

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

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

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

2 Pentachondra pumila - no disagreement with that

3 Gentianella grisebachii  Lesley, you are correct -  it is an annual. Some gentians are monocarpic eg Gentianella corymbifera and others are perennial eg Gentianella bellidifolia
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: Lesley Cox on February 15, 2011, 07:31:42 PM

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


That will look REALLY good on the seed packet! ;D

Thanks for the correct naming David. I thought Microtis was probably right but there are a few other little greens so decided to play for safe. The damn thing seeds everywhere here too, a real nuisance because if you pull it out you get the old bulb but not the new replacement so it comes again.
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: cohan on February 15, 2011, 07:52:01 PM
Having difficulties getting message and pictures in the same place.

the pic labelled 'small orchid' could almost be from here, looking at a glance like Corallorhiza with Antennaria rosettes in the background!
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: David Lyttle on February 15, 2011, 08:36:25 PM
Doug,

Enjoyed your pictures of Punakaiki; it is a really spectacular place. The Punakaiki Craspedia looks really interesting. Here is a picture from my last visit there (some time ago). I managed to accidently alter the settings on my camera which is easy to do so photos were less than optimal.
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: kiwi on February 20, 2011, 05:40:58 AM
Cheers David, great spot.
Had a wander up behind Mount Lyndon, (far left)
Found some treasures, Montigena novae-zelandiae (2nd photo), Lobelia roughii, Myosotis australis.
Aciphylla aurea dripping with seed.
Acaena species.
David, Dave, I need the correct id for this so I can update my Mills and Boon.
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: David Lyttle on February 20, 2011, 09:55:28 AM
Hi Doug,

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

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

Last picture which you have not named is Pseudognaphalium luteo-album
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: Hoy on February 20, 2011, 01:36:24 PM
You never run out of beautiful vistas or plant species down there, do you ;D
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: kiwi on February 20, 2011, 06:59:01 PM
Hi David, what else could the Aciphylla be?
This area is predominately A.aurea and A.scott-thomsonii in the wetter areas.
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: David Lyttle on February 20, 2011, 08:25:32 PM
Hi Doug,

My feeling is that the plant in your photo looks more like Aciphylla scott-thomsoni than Aciphylla aurea but you have seen the plants in the field and I have not so again I cannot be hard and fast on this point.
Title: Re: NZ field trips - Feb 2011
Post by: kiwi on February 20, 2011, 08:48:50 PM
Cheers David,
I presumed being a dry area it would have been A.aurea.
Presumption is the mother of all .........incorrect id's?
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