 | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh. CMS for a month may speed up and even out germination Germination: 4 - 12 weeks Pricking out: 3 - 6.5 months after sowing Tips: particularly prone to damping off, keep on the dry side while small |
Cabbage trees, (ti kouka, Cordyline australis) put on a truly incredible flowering display drawing bees, moths and other insects from miles around. March is the start of their fruit maturation season which continues till about June. The fruit really needs to be white and spongy before collecting for them to be viable.
Cordyline is a genus of about 20 or so species native to the western Pacific and shares the Asparagaceae family with a diverse range of plants including our native renga lily (Arthropodium), but also exotics such as pineapple lilies (Eucomis), grape hyacinths (Muscari) and the problematic climbing asparagus fern (Asparagus scandens). The other species you'll occasionally see around Wellington is Cordyline banksii and up into mountains, Cordyline indivisa is a sight to behold!
The name 'cabbage tree' comes from the use of the young central leaves as a cabbage substitute by early settlers and 'Cordyline' derives from the Greek word for club, referring to the enlarged underground stems (rhizomes). These were an important food source for Maori especially down South where kumara don't grow so well. The huge tap root / trunk bases were harvested just before flowering when the sugar content was highest and steamed in large umu (earth ovens) providing a sugary pulp. These earth ovens can still be seen in historic sites around Palliser area.
Cordyline is a genus of about 20 or so species native to the western Pacific and shares the Asparagaceae family with a diverse range of plants including our native renga lily (Arthropodium), but also exotics such as pineapple lilies (Eucomis), grape hyacinths (Muscari) and the problematic climbing asparagus fern (Asparagus scandens). The other species you'll occasionally see around Wellington is Cordyline banksii and up into mountains, Cordyline indivisa is a sight to behold!
The name 'cabbage tree' comes from the use of the young central leaves as a cabbage substitute by early settlers and 'Cordyline' derives from the Greek word for club, referring to the enlarged underground stems (rhizomes). These were an important food source for Maori especially down South where kumara don't grow so well. The huge tap root / trunk bases were harvested just before flowering when the sugar content was highest and steamed in large umu (earth ovens) providing a sugary pulp. These earth ovens can still be seen in historic sites around Palliser area.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: CMS 2 - 3 months Germination: 4 - 8 weeks Pricking out: 3 - 6 months after sowing Tips: particularly prone to damping off |
March is the main fruiting time for Coprosma species but see Jan and Feb posts for earlier fruiting species. Coprosma lucida (karamu, shining karamu) is not as common around Wellington as some of the other species, but is equally hardy, tolerating very dry and windy situations, often found on forest margins and lower montane areas. Sometimes confused with Coprosma robusta, the distinct sharp tip to the leaf and raised mid vein set it apart along with the larger, almost spherical fruit.
As all Coprosma species are plentiful and edible, shining karamu with its large berries was commonly gathered for food. Loved by birds as well, it can be difficult to catch before they do due to its slow ripening, each berry being plucked as soon as it matures, so this is another species I often put a mesh bag on to secure the small supply.
As all Coprosma species are plentiful and edible, shining karamu with its large berries was commonly gathered for food. Loved by birds as well, it can be difficult to catch before they do due to its slow ripening, each berry being plucked as soon as it matures, so this is another species I often put a mesh bag on to secure the small supply.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: CMS 2 - 3 months Germination: 3.5 - 7 months Pricking out: 6.5 - 9 months after sowing Tips: can damp off when young, give good air flow |
Coprosma rotundifolia is easily overlooked on the upper forest margin being a rather scrappy looking large shrub that can grow to 5 or 6 meters, its thin intertwining branches form it into columnar shapes in the dappled light of surrounding trees. Sometimes confused with Coprosma areolata (below), it differs most markedly by the orange, rather than deep purple fruits, and the usually larger, rounder, brown-mottled leaves covered in small hairs.
I've found these smaller leaved, shrubby Coprosma species including C. rhamnoides to be slower to germinate with slightly lower strike rates compared to the likes of C. robusta, C. grandifolia and C repens. Being more delicate they're also more prone to damping off when young but once they get going they're easy to grow and happy in a range of sites so well deserving of a place.
I've found these smaller leaved, shrubby Coprosma species including C. rhamnoides to be slower to germinate with slightly lower strike rates compared to the likes of C. robusta, C. grandifolia and C repens. Being more delicate they're also more prone to damping off when young but once they get going they're easy to grow and happy in a range of sites so well deserving of a place.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: CMS 2 - 3 months Germination: 2.5 - 4 months Pricking out: 4 - 5.5 months after sowing Tips: can damp off when young, give good air flow |
Coprosma areolata (thin leaved Coprosma) shares the upper forest margin with C. rotundifolia, grows to a similar size, and the two are often found together. As in this photo the leaf veins are more prominent than in C. rotundifolia and leaves are mostly hairless. The very dark purple berries that not surprisingly make an excellent dye, are easy to miss, often clustered on the undersides of branches and in amongst the leaves.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: CMS 2 - 3 months Germination: 2 - 5 months Pricking out: 5 - 7 months after sowing Tips: can damp off when young, give good air flow |
Earlier names for various forms of this species such as Coprosma heterophylla and C. polymorpha give a good indication of its variable leaf shapes and sizes, often found on the same plant. Now considered one species, Coprosma rhamnoides (twiggy Coprosma, mingimingi, red currant Coprosma) is a small shrub whose branches arch over creating a pale brownish, rounded hummock, more pronounced in open environments. This dense growth form and fuzzy covering on its new branches, along with fruits tucked safely away inside the twiggy network have allowed it to endure in steep exposed pasture where few other species survive. This makes it an ideal early restoration species for converting harsh pasture sites back to bush cover.
I'm completely captivated by the small jewel-like, ruby fruits of this shrub (which sometimes are almost black) despite being the most painstaking of all to collect ! The leaves often have a pale blotch at the base which can help to identify them.
I'm completely captivated by the small jewel-like, ruby fruits of this shrub (which sometimes are almost black) despite being the most painstaking of all to collect ! The leaves often have a pale blotch at the base which can help to identify them.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 4 - 7.5 weeks Pricking out: 2 - 3 months after sowing Tips: very fast. Protect young seedlings from caterpillars |
Hoheria sexstylosa (houhere, lacebark) is a curious beast, regarded by some as a variety of H. populnea and by others a hybrid species of H. populnea and H. angustifolia. Whatever further work brings to light, there is no doubt it is out-numbered in Wellington by both Hoheria populnea and its hybrids. Sexstylosa meaning 'six styled' is your best defense against misidentification with H. populnea (five styled) though hybrid offspring between the two can still have six or more styles. The picture above shows a likely hybrid with features such as longer thinner leaves and a weeping habit characteristic of H. sexstylosa, though the number of winged seeds in the cluster have a count of five, not six.
Sharing the Malvaceae family with our native Hibiscus, whau (Entelea arborescens) and ribbonwoods (Plagianthus), Hoheria is a genus of seven native species. Lacebark and ribbonwood get their common name from the layered, fibrous, lace-like inner bark that inspired early settlers to call it 'thousand jacket'. The bark was widely used for fine weaving, trimming cloaks and rope making and all the plant parts have multiple medicinal uses as do most members of the Malvaceae (mallow) family.
This is one of the exceptions to the rule "collect when ready to naturally disperse". Hoheria is wind dispersed as evidenced by the winged seeds and does so when dry and ready to break apart from the cluster. However the seeds are absolutely loved into oblivion by caterpillars so any chance of collecting viable seed rests on collecting them green. I was amazed by the germination from what I was sure would be far too immature seed. The caterpillars enter the thickest part of the seed and simply munch directly through from one seed to another in a perfect circle around the cluster so separate and sort carefully the eaten from the intact seed.
Sharing the Malvaceae family with our native Hibiscus, whau (Entelea arborescens) and ribbonwoods (Plagianthus), Hoheria is a genus of seven native species. Lacebark and ribbonwood get their common name from the layered, fibrous, lace-like inner bark that inspired early settlers to call it 'thousand jacket'. The bark was widely used for fine weaving, trimming cloaks and rope making and all the plant parts have multiple medicinal uses as do most members of the Malvaceae (mallow) family.
This is one of the exceptions to the rule "collect when ready to naturally disperse". Hoheria is wind dispersed as evidenced by the winged seeds and does so when dry and ready to break apart from the cluster. However the seeds are absolutely loved into oblivion by caterpillars so any chance of collecting viable seed rests on collecting them green. I was amazed by the germination from what I was sure would be far too immature seed. The caterpillars enter the thickest part of the seed and simply munch directly through from one seed to another in a perfect circle around the cluster so separate and sort carefully the eaten from the intact seed.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 4 weeks Pricking out: 2 - 6 months after sowing Tips: easy from divisions |
Calystegia soldanella (shore bindweed, shore Convolvulus, rauparaha) is a small creeping convolvulus common all over New Zealand and off shore islands in sandy coastal areas but also a few inland environments such as lake edges. We have four native species of Calystegia all of which are found elsewhere with C. soldanella being the most globally widespread.
Calystegia means ‘covered cup’ referring to the bracts (modified leaves often associated with reproductive structures like flowers) covering the calyx (collective name for the flower sepals), both of which wrap around the ovary containing the large brown shiny seeds. These large tan pods are produced almost year round. Like all rhizomatous plants it spreads by creeping underground stems (another easy way to propagate it) that play a role in sand dune stability. It also makes a great alternative to grass lawn in beach front properties.
Calystegia means ‘covered cup’ referring to the bracts (modified leaves often associated with reproductive structures like flowers) covering the calyx (collective name for the flower sepals), both of which wrap around the ovary containing the large brown shiny seeds. These large tan pods are produced almost year round. Like all rhizomatous plants it spreads by creeping underground stems (another easy way to propagate it) that play a role in sand dune stability. It also makes a great alternative to grass lawn in beach front properties.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: CMS 4 - 5 months or sow fresh Germination: 3 - 9 months Pricking out: I don't have good data for this species, I've tried both CMS and sowing after dry storage so can only say it appears to take ~ 1 - 2 years from sowing |
This stout, densely branched and leafy spreading shrub, Melicytus crassifolius (Thick-leaved mahoe), has all the makings of a successful coastal species though this one is not fairing so well and is declining throughout its range. Found in the lower North Island and top of the eastern South Island it is a slow grower, heavily browsed by herbivores and can barely recruit when exposed to them. The striking white bark, smooth tapering branches and very dark green leaves make it a popular and hardy landscaping plant and I'm especially taken by its unique black and white, egg-shaped fruit.
Melicytus meaning "honey cave", refers to the nectaries in the flowers that provide a sugary reward to its pollinators. The genus is a member of the Violaceae family and there are 11 species native to NZ, the most common in Wellington being M. ramiflorus (whiteywood).
Melicytus meaning "honey cave", refers to the nectaries in the flowers that provide a sugary reward to its pollinators. The genus is a member of the Violaceae family and there are 11 species native to NZ, the most common in Wellington being M. ramiflorus (whiteywood).
 | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh or scarify the woody seed coat to speed up germination Germination: 3 - 5 months Pricking out: ~ 2.5 - 13 months after sowing due to the variable germination rates Tips: easy |
The well known Ngaio tree, Myoporum laetum is about as hardy as they come. It's a common coastal and lowland forest tree extremely tolerant to dry conditions and hard pruning. Ngaio contains a toxin called Ngaione, also found in a fungus that grows on sweet potatoes. Though the toxin causes serious liver damage the oil in the leaves was traditionally used to ward off insects and has antibacterial properties.
Because the seed coat is thick and woody, only the weathering process (variable conditions like moisture, temperature and general wear and tear) determines the speed of germination, so seeds sown at the same time will continue to germinate over several months. This is another plant whose seedlings bounce back miraculously after being wrenched from a seed tray a couple of years after they germinated.
The introduction of Tasmanian ngaio, Myoporum insulare, and consequent widespread propagation due to mistaken identity has resulted in hybrid swarms in some areas including Wellington. Be very sure you know what you are collecting with this species. Some differences are the almost black leaf buds, and flowers larger than 10mm in Myoporum laetum as opposed to the very sticky, green leaf buds and smaller flowers of M. insulare. M. laetum has thinner leaves which appear more wavy and make the oil glands more obvious. M. insulare has thicker, darker green, more regularly oblong and less serrated leaves.
Because the seed coat is thick and woody, only the weathering process (variable conditions like moisture, temperature and general wear and tear) determines the speed of germination, so seeds sown at the same time will continue to germinate over several months. This is another plant whose seedlings bounce back miraculously after being wrenched from a seed tray a couple of years after they germinated.
The introduction of Tasmanian ngaio, Myoporum insulare, and consequent widespread propagation due to mistaken identity has resulted in hybrid swarms in some areas including Wellington. Be very sure you know what you are collecting with this species. Some differences are the almost black leaf buds, and flowers larger than 10mm in Myoporum laetum as opposed to the very sticky, green leaf buds and smaller flowers of M. insulare. M. laetum has thinner leaves which appear more wavy and make the oil glands more obvious. M. insulare has thicker, darker green, more regularly oblong and less serrated leaves.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 6 - 13 weeks Pricking out: from 9 months after sowing, ongoing Tips: keep fairly moist and shady |
Bush laywer (Rubus cissoides, tataramoa), is one of five endemic species of Rubus found here and our only native members of the huge global Rosaceae family containing many fruiting species like plums, peaches, quinces and strawberries. Rubus contains blackberries, raspberries etc. though the tiny fruits of our native species are a far cry from their large, sweet and juicy cousins.
This plant is not often cultivated for obvious reasons. I can certainly attest to the laborious and painful process of separating tangled plants left to grow into each other but it’s a good climber for restoration plantings in the early stages as it doesn’t become a huge, smothering, woody vine like some other climbers. Apart from the thorny issue of its management in the nursery it’s easy to propagate and will happily sit in a seed tray for pricking out later which is great for plants you only want a few of at a time.
This plant is not often cultivated for obvious reasons. I can certainly attest to the laborious and painful process of separating tangled plants left to grow into each other but it’s a good climber for restoration plantings in the early stages as it doesn’t become a huge, smothering, woody vine like some other climbers. Apart from the thorny issue of its management in the nursery it’s easy to propagate and will happily sit in a seed tray for pricking out later which is great for plants you only want a few of at a time.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: CMS 2 - 3 months Germination: 3 - 8 weeks Pricking out: 2.5 - 4 months after sowing Tips: easy |
Pittosporum tenuifolium (Kohukohu, kohuhu, black matipo) belongs to a family of about 200 - 240 species of Pittosporaceae spread around temperate and tropical parts of the Pacific. New Zealand Pittosporum are an important genus of 22 endemic species over half of which have small, vulnerable populations. Pittosporum meaning "pitch (tar) seed" refers to the incredibly sticky coating that gums the seeds together in the seed pod and is an effective deterrent to seed predators, aside from birds that is who seem to relish them, as well as disperse them when they stick to their feathers. One of the best tricks I've learnt from a seasoned propagator is to use flour to separate the seeds for sowing.
Kohuhu flowers can easily be missed because they are so dark in colour but they have an utterly divine scent, especially in the evening air. The popularity of this species in the home garden has resulted in many cultivars and hybrids making it more than a little tricky to identify a 'wild' specimen as a good seed source. The two common species in Wellington are P. tenuifolium and P. eugenioides and unfortunately P. crassifolium (karo), an upper North Island species superficially resembling pohutukawa that has become a serious weed in the Wellington area.
Kohuhu flowers can easily be missed because they are so dark in colour but they have an utterly divine scent, especially in the evening air. The popularity of this species in the home garden has resulted in many cultivars and hybrids making it more than a little tricky to identify a 'wild' specimen as a good seed source. The two common species in Wellington are P. tenuifolium and P. eugenioides and unfortunately P. crassifolium (karo), an upper North Island species superficially resembling pohutukawa that has become a serious weed in the Wellington area.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 1.5 - 4 weeks Pricking out: 1.5 - 4.5 months after sowing Tips: sow thickly, germination can be a bit sparse |
Extremely common around Wellington, tauhinu (Ozothamnus leptophyllus) is a dominant member of our 'grey scrub' community. The distinctly different forms of this variable species resulted in a previous count of five species and several varieties, all of which have now been subsumed into the one species, though these may again be split based on DNA evidence.
Tauhinu behaves a bit like gorse, quickly colonizing open farmland, growing to about two meters and then if the land is left, being overtopped by larger coastal broadleaved species. Part of its success must be attributed to a very long fruiting season, this species will drop seed until about July. Though part of the Asteraceae family known for sparse and variable germination, tauhinu is a reliable crop (if sown as thickly as the other daisies), but will continue to send up seedlings for quite some time after the initial flush.
Tauhinu behaves a bit like gorse, quickly colonizing open farmland, growing to about two meters and then if the land is left, being overtopped by larger coastal broadleaved species. Part of its success must be attributed to a very long fruiting season, this species will drop seed until about July. Though part of the Asteraceae family known for sparse and variable germination, tauhinu is a reliable crop (if sown as thickly as the other daisies), but will continue to send up seedlings for quite some time after the initial flush.
 | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 10 - 12 weeks Pricking out: 4 - 6 months after sowing Tips: easy |
Kaikomako (Pennantia corymbosa) belongs to a small genus of just a few species found in Australia, Norfolk Island and New Zealand. Both New Zealand species are endemic, the other, Pennantia baylisiana (Three Kings Islands Pennantia), is critically endangered with only one female tree remaining in the wild.
Kaikomako, meaning food of the bellbird, is more familiar to most people in its juvenile form, commonly dotted along track edges in bush understory with leaves resembling duck feet. It's not hugely common around Wellington so best spotted on bush margins and stream edges while flowering and fruiting. Though Pennantia is functionally dioecious (separate male and female trees), this might not be obvious in a close up look at the flower. What you will see is the remains of non functional anthers and ovaries on flowers of the opposite gender. It's a great example of evolution in action, a bit like the kiwi that no longer flies but retains its vestigial wings.
Kaikomako, meaning food of the bellbird, is more familiar to most people in its juvenile form, commonly dotted along track edges in bush understory with leaves resembling duck feet. It's not hugely common around Wellington so best spotted on bush margins and stream edges while flowering and fruiting. Though Pennantia is functionally dioecious (separate male and female trees), this might not be obvious in a close up look at the flower. What you will see is the remains of non functional anthers and ovaries on flowers of the opposite gender. It's a great example of evolution in action, a bit like the kiwi that no longer flies but retains its vestigial wings.
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Named for the position of the seed sitting atop the fruit rather than being enclosed in it, the Podocarps are our emergent giants of the forest. All fruit in autumn with the exception of rimu that may fruit at the end of summer but does so only about once a decade.
Miro, matai, totara, kahikatea, rimu and all our other conifers (cone bearing plants) belonging to the Podocarpaceae family, are endemic to New Zealand (found nowhere else). They are all very long lived, some with life spans up to 1000 years or more and descend from ancient lineages that have persisted since their peak diversity when New Zealand was part of a single land mass, Gondwana. Totara, rimu and kahikatea all have ancestors that were already present in the very earliest stages of New Zealand having finally drifted away from the rest of the supercontinent 60 million years ago.
Named for the position of the seed sitting atop the fruit rather than being enclosed in it, the Podocarps are our emergent giants of the forest. All fruit in autumn with the exception of rimu that may fruit at the end of summer but does so only about once a decade.
Miro, matai, totara, kahikatea, rimu and all our other conifers (cone bearing plants) belonging to the Podocarpaceae family, are endemic to New Zealand (found nowhere else). They are all very long lived, some with life spans up to 1000 years or more and descend from ancient lineages that have persisted since their peak diversity when New Zealand was part of a single land mass, Gondwana. Totara, rimu and kahikatea all have ancestors that were already present in the very earliest stages of New Zealand having finally drifted away from the rest of the supercontinent 60 million years ago.
 |  | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh or CMS 3 months Germination: 3.5 - 5 months Pricking out: 5.5 - 9.5 months after sowing Tips: easy |
Totara (Podocarpus totara), along with kauri, is possibly our longest lived tree living to over 1000 years. Totara is one the first of the large podocarps to start dropping seed. They are small, green and rather inconspicuous once they have lost their brightly coloured receptacle that serves as an attractant to its avian dispersers (they are deliciously sweet!). The absence of a woody seed coat means this is the quickest of the podocarps to germinate though the post germination growth rate is much slower than most of the others.
Rot resistant totara was the wood of choice for constructing large canoes, carvings, and for building. The thick sturdy bark that comes off in large strips also had multiple names and uses.
Rot resistant totara was the wood of choice for constructing large canoes, carvings, and for building. The thick sturdy bark that comes off in large strips also had multiple names and uses.
 |  | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 7 - 8.5 months though no much data Pricking out: 6.5 - 10 months after sowing Tips: easy |
Matai (black pine, Prumnopitys taxifolia), is closely related to miro and has a similar bark pattern but with lighter, brighter reddish 'hammer marks' (patches where the bark has recently flaked off). Matai also has a distinctive divaricating juvenile form with small, sparse leaves and a brownish colour that make it look somewhat dead. Divaricating shrubs and juvenile forms have been proposed as an adaptation to moa browsing, the effort needed to gain sustenance from the plant greatly outweighing the nutrient gain and therefore, not really worth the trouble. It's been a hotly debated topic but I think compelling evidence comes from comparative studies of related plants on the Chatham Islands that never had moa. Those plants have larger leaves and more relaxed branching angles.
The fine golden finish and hardwearing properties of matai wood led to massive losses to milling, peaking in the 1950's. Along with clearance of lowland forest for farming, the extent of matai dominated forests have been reduced to small pockets on the eastern South Island. Matai fruit are an important food source for birds and it's an easy way to locate trees at this time of year, just listen for the almighty kerfuffle!
The fine golden finish and hardwearing properties of matai wood led to massive losses to milling, peaking in the 1950's. Along with clearance of lowland forest for farming, the extent of matai dominated forests have been reduced to small pockets on the eastern South Island. Matai fruit are an important food source for birds and it's an easy way to locate trees at this time of year, just listen for the almighty kerfuffle!
 |  | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: not enough data Pricking out: 5.5 months - 4 years after sowing Tips: old, pre-weathered seed germinates much quicker |
Miro (Prumnopitys ferrunginea, brown pine) and matai are unusual conifers in having the fruit surrounded by flesh rather than the seed attached to a fleshy receptacle, and are referred to as the 'plum pines'. Both are irresistible to kereru and their insatiable appetite for them often cost them their lives when they were hunted for food. Kereru have the unfortunate tendency to gorge themselves until they're incapable of flying making them fat, easy pickings.
The seeds of miro take such a long time to germinate, I tend to take advantage of the pigeons appetite too by looking for the favoured perching (and pooping) spot, below which yields piles of nicely processed and partially weathered seed easily gathered by the handful. Though probably frowned upon in propagation practices for fear of collecting seed riddled with fungus and other nasties, I don't really see it as an issue given the woody seed coat and the overall hardiness of native seedlings. Collecting this instead of fresh seed can mean waiting about half the time for germination.
The seeds of miro take such a long time to germinate, I tend to take advantage of the pigeons appetite too by looking for the favoured perching (and pooping) spot, below which yields piles of nicely processed and partially weathered seed easily gathered by the handful. Though probably frowned upon in propagation practices for fear of collecting seed riddled with fungus and other nasties, I don't really see it as an issue given the woody seed coat and the overall hardiness of native seedlings. Collecting this instead of fresh seed can mean waiting about half the time for germination.
 |  | Propagate Pre treatment: sow fresh Germination: 3.5 - 6.5 months though not based on much data Pricking out: 18.5 - 20.5 months after sowing Tips: easy |
Kahikatea (white pine, Dacrycarpus dacrydioides) the tallest of all the forest giants growing up to 60m, also suffered significantly during early settlement. Its lowland swampy habitat was fast recognised as prime farming land once drained and grassed, so the vast, dense stands that once dominated lowland New Zealand were quickly felled. The wood of white pine is soft and odourless so its popularity for boxes and crates grew rapidly, particularly for butter boxes with the advent of refrigeration and long distance shipping of perishable goods. Apart from a couple of small remnants (one of which is Nga Manu Reserve in Waikanae), South Westland has the only sizable Kahikatea forest remaining in the country.
Kahikatea is not only very tall but also very old. Pollen and leaves most closely resembling it have been found in rock dated 160 to 180 million years old, a period that long predates birds or flowering plants, so the fruits of this Jurassic ancestor may well have been eaten by winged dinosaurs. You'll hear our modern winged dinosaurs starting to cavort around for the fruits towards the end of March.
Kahikatea is not only very tall but also very old. Pollen and leaves most closely resembling it have been found in rock dated 160 to 180 million years old, a period that long predates birds or flowering plants, so the fruits of this Jurassic ancestor may well have been eaten by winged dinosaurs. You'll hear our modern winged dinosaurs starting to cavort around for the fruits towards the end of March.
Flowering
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above left: Wahlenbergia violacea (Violet Harebell) above right : Koromiko (Veronica stricta var. stricta)
below left: Earina autumnalis (Easter orchid, raupeka) below right: Euphrasia cuneata (North Island eyebright)
below left: Earina autumnalis (Easter orchid, raupeka) below right: Euphrasia cuneata (North Island eyebright)
 |   above: the heavenly scented Olearia solandri (Coastal tree daisy) |
