January 2010 in the Southern Hemisphere

[fermi de Sousa]

A new month and a whole New Year!
Here's the long awaited Calochortus fimbriatus (already posted to the "Calochortus" Thread)

Also a couple of Oenotheras which do well during the summer,
Oenothera acaulis


And O. missouriensis syn O. macrocarpa


cheers
fermi

[Paul T]

Lovely, Fermi.

[Sinchets]

Awesome Calochortus,  Fermi!

[Tecophilaea King]

While visiting some friends for a few days with the campervan during the Xmas holidays in Oropi, we've taken some time off for one of the many nature walks in the Urewera Natonal Park.
As usual, I am always ready to take some pictures of the local interesting native flora.  High on the list of New Zealand native plants which are taken for granted are the Toetoes, or pampas grasses. 
The strictly New Zealand grasses are absolutely beautiful. Their plumes form in late spring and last throughout summer.
Toi Toi is a common spelling for this grass, though Toetoe is preferred by botanists. They are both Maori words, and both sound the same.
There are four similar species (Cortaderia toetoe, Cortaderia fulvida, Cortaderia splendens and Cortaderia richardii) found in different areas in New Zealand.
This particularly pampas grass species is Cortaderia richardii I believe.
They are all closely related to that undesirable introduced Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana or Cortaderia jubata, a coarse, agressive plant which is gaining pest status in many areas).

[Tecophilaea King]

Here are a few more native plants (mainly ferns) that I photographed while walking along the track (no names)

[Sinchets]

Which fool introduced pampas grass to NZ!!?? 
The native ones are so much more interesting!

[Tecophilaea King]

Just a few more amongst the thousands of species growing in our national parks, to many for me to know them all. Enjoy

[Tecophilaea King]

Which fool introduced pampas grass to NZ!!?? 
The native ones are so much more interesting!

Sinchets, yes introduced plants by early settlers have always been a problem.
Like gorse, (Ulex europaeus) has been a serious weed in New Zealand for over 100 yr,
and continues to invade pastoral land, forest plantations, and vulnerable natural habitats.
Gorse was introduced to New Zealand as a hedge plant before 1838, and ribbons of
potential weeds were soon established across the landscape.
Gorse spread quickly, and by 1900 it was declared a weed by Act of Parliament.

[maggiepie]

What a beautiful spot, Bill.
It is so nice to see all that green, nothing but white around here at the moment.

[Lesley Cox]

Good pictures Bill. I hope no native terrorists leapt out to frighten you.

[Lesley Cox]

This picture of Myosotis capitata is to remind Helen in Canada, who has received a little seed from the AGS Seed exchange (where's mine ). Probably sitting in a hot and dusty Auckland Mail Centre while the Hort inspectors are off sunning themselves on some sunny Northland beach!

[maggiepie]

Lesley, it is gorgeous.
I am so happy I ordered some.
Hope it flowers first year from seed.

[angie]

Lesley love that Myosotis,another plant I have never heard off. Could I grow this in Scotland?
Angie

[ranunculus]

Hi Angie,
Myosotis capitata can be and is grown quite easily in the U.K., but it needs constant moisture at the roots and very regular re-potting.  I exhibited a 12" pan of this gorgeous forget-me-not at Southport AGS Show a good number of years ago (possibly the first time it was exhibited in this country).  It grows amongst the megaherbs on the Chatham Islands, Subantarctic Islands (see next post) off New Zealand and there it thrives in deep constantly moist moss.
One of the delectable megaherbs that tantalise us here in the U.K.

[ranunculus]

Thanks to Dave for gently reminding me that M. capitata actually grows on Campbell Island and the other Subantarctic Islands and not on Chatham Island (as I stated above), which is much further north.  Once the alcohol wears off the brain takes over again ...    


Interesting link to Myosotis species - http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-CheManu-t1-body1-d51-d2.html