New Zealand Plants

11009-23809 Titoki (Alectryon excelsus excelsus) fruit showing black seeds sitting in scarlet arils. A widespread coastal to lowland forest tree favouring well drained, fertile, alluvial soils along river banks and associated terraces. A major component of coastal forests, particularly on basaltic or andesite volcanic soils, and a common offshore island tree within the Hauraki Gulf. Auckland *

11009-19317 Small-leaved kowhai (Sophora microphylla) early flowers in spring snow. Found throughout the North and South Islands, though uncommon in parts of the North Island. Typically grows on alluvial river terraces, flood plains and lake margins in mixed podocarp/hardwood forests. Otago Peninsula *

11009-12005 Mahoe (Melicytus ramiflorus) purple fruit arranged along branch, Otago Peninsula *

11009-06124 Kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydiodes) detail of fruits *

11009-11801 Penwiper (Notothlaspi rosulatum) flowering on scree. Seaward Kaikouras *

DSC_3589 Pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) detail of flowering tree growing on the coast. Pohutukawa once formed extensive forests around our northern coastlines. Coromandel Peninsula *

11009-09501 Castle Hill buttercup, or kura tawhiti (Ranunculus paucifolius) a critically endangered buttercup, in flower in the spring. Fewer than seventy plants remain in the wild, with some individuals now over a hundred years old. Last summer, only 28 of these plants flowered. Only 11 produced seed, and only one in 10 seeds usually germinates. The seedlings take from 13 months to four years to appear above ground. Surviving plants are all confined to a 6.4-hectare Nature Reserve near Castle Hill *

11009-55110 Fairy lantern (Thismia rodwayi) a peculiar, chlorophyll devoid plant. Vegatatively reduced and leafless. The plant exists solely as white, root-like rhizomes which bear small reddish flowers in early summer. It gains nutrition through association with soil fungi. It is difficult to find and restricted to the middle and upper forests and shrublands of the North Island. Flowers are tiny, 20 mm long, solitary, terminal red, red-orange, or (rarely, as seen here) white with orange striping - these were in rimu litter. Ohakune *

11009-54003 Flax (Phormium tenax) flower stalks against the sky. Little Barrier Island *

11011-65022 Wheki or brown tree fern (Dicksonia squarrosa) near confluence of Jackson and Arawhata Rivers *6/18

DSC_2858 Chatham Island forget-me-not (Mysotidium hortense) rare pink flowered form *

DSC_3026 Giant liverwort (Monoclea forsteri) seen here with filmy fern (Hymenophyllum). We share our largest thallose (lobed) liverwort with Patagonia. Its lobes often reaching 20cm in length and measuring up to 5cm across - making it among the largest of any liverworts. It may form continuous cover over many square metres along stream edges, and banks. Whirinaki Forest *

DSC_2617 Giant liverwort (Monoclea forsteri) seen here with small fern (Asplenium). We share our largest thallose (lobed) liverwort with Patagonia. Its lobes often reaching 20cm in length and measuring up to 5cm across - making it among the largest of any liverworts. It may form continuous cover over many square metres along stream edges, and banks. Catlins River *

DSC_2684 Woollywort (Trichocolea mollissima) a large liverwort found commonly throughout wet rainforests in Australia and New Zealand. Its most distinctive feature is its highly divided, densely arranged and extremely small leaves, which lend it a woolly appearance; hence it’s common name. Lake Monowai *

DSC_2621 Woollywort (Trichocolea mollissima) a large liverwort found commonly throughout wet rainforests in Australia and New Zealand. Its most distinctive feature is its highly divided, densely arranged and extremely small leaves, which lend it a woolly appearance; hence it’s common name. Catlins River *

11009-00205 Alpine Clubmoss (Lycopodium fastigatum) yellowed fronds amongst a carpet of Woolly Fringe-Moss (Racomitrium lanuginosum). Murchison Mtns, Fiordland *

11009-00206 Alpine Clubmoss (Lycopodium fastigatum) yellowed fronds amongst a carpet of Woolly Fringe-Moss (Racomitrium lanuginosum). Murchison Mtns, Fiordland *

DSC_6687 Foliose lichen (Pseudocyphellaria glabra) decorates the trunks of Inaka (Dracophyllum longifolium) overlooking Perserverance Harbour, Campbell Island *

11009-00101 Chain fern (Tmesipteris tannensis) one of our most common fork ferns, characterised by sporangia with pointed ends. Seen here growing on tree fern trunk, but this species can also grow on the ground. Ships Creek, Westland *

11009-00106 Chain fern (Tmesipteris tannensis) one of our most common fork ferns, characterised by sporangia with pointed ends. Seen here growing on tree fern trunk, but this species can also grow on the ground. Ships Creek, Westland *

IMG 1612 Old man's beard moss (Weymouthia mollis) moss covering silver beech and horopito at Cameron Flat, Makarora. It also grows in Argentina and Australia *

DSC_4639 Old man's beard moss (Weymouthia mollis) hanging from the branches of understorey shrubs in beech forest. This distinctive hanging moss also grows in Argentina and Australia. Waikaia Bush *

DSC_4638 Old man's beard moss (Weymouthia mollis) hanging from the branches of understorey shrubs in beech forest. This distinctive hanging moss also grows in Argentina and Australia. Waikaia Bush *

DSC_0170 Old man's beard moss (Weymouthia mollis) hanging from the branches of putaputaweta (Carpodetus serratus). This distinctive hanging moss also grows in Argentina and Australia. Makarora Valley *

DSC_0163 Old man's beard moss (Weymouthia mollis) hanging from the branches of putaputaweta (Carpodetus serratus). This distinctive hanging moss also grows in Argentina and Australia. Makarora Valley *

DSC_8101274 Giant moss, or pahau kakapo (Dawsonia superba) we share our tallest moss with Australia and New Guinea. Growing on unbranched stems to a height of 50cm and likened to clumps of young pine seedlings this is one of the world's tallest mosses. The Maori name translates as 'the beard of the kakapo. Lake Kaniere *

DSC_8101277 Giant moss, or pahau kakapo (Dawsonia superba) we share our tallest moss with Australia and New Guinea. Growing on unbranched stems to a height of 50cm and likened to clumps of young pine seedlings this is one of the world's tallest mosses. The Maori name translates as 'the beard of the kakapo. Lake Kaniere *

DSC_9894 Bryophyte beds of underwater moss in the Waimangaroa River, Denniston *

DSC_9889 Bryophyte stalactites on the banks of the Waimangaroa River, Denniston *

11009-00615 Kennedy Warne wanders through Fiordland's moist beech forest, with branches festooned in mosses and ferns. Snag Burn, Murchison Mountains *

DSC_0132 Kidney Fern (Hymenophyllum nephrophyllum) growing up the trunk of a forest tree. Once classified in Trichomanes (as T. reniforme), DNA analysis of Kidney fern has now shown it to be more closely related to the Hymenophyllum filmy ferns. New Zealand is a special place for the genus Hymenophyllum, with nine of the world’s ten subgenera occurring here. Jackson River, South Westland *

DSC_0160 Kidney Fern (Hymenophyllum nephrophyllum) growing on the trunk of a forest tree. Once classified in Trichomanes (as T. reniforme), DNA analysis of Kidney fern has now shown it to be more closely related to the Hymenophyllum filmy ferns. New Zealand is a special place for the genus Hymenophyllum, with nine of the world’s ten subgenera occurring here. Jackson River, South Westland *

DSC_0143 Kidney Fern (Hymenophyllum nephrophyllum) showing the unusual spore capsules which sit within a tube around the edge of the frond. Once classified in Trichomanes (as T. reniforme), DNA analysis of Kidney fern has now shown it to be more closely related to the Hymenophyllum filmy ferns. New Zealand is a special place for the genus Hymenophyllum, with nine of the world’s ten subgenera occurring here. Jackson River, South Westland *

DSC_0149 Kidney Fern (Hymenophyllum nephrophyllum) showing the unusual spore capsules which sit within a tube around the edge of the frond. Once classified in Trichomanes (as T. reniforme), DNA analysis of Kidney fern has now shown it to be more closely related to the Hymenophyllum filmy ferns. New Zealand is a special place for the genus Hymenophyllum, with nine of the world’s ten subgenera occurring here. Jackson River, South Westland *

11009-02124 Rasp fern, or pukupuku (Blechnum parrisiae) thrives in exposed, poorly drained clay soils so is often found growing alongside tracks and clearings. The pink in their new fronds is the result of red pigments called anthocyanins, which act as a 'sunscreen' to protect the growing tips of the new fronds. Little Barrier Island *

DSC_2735 Mountain kiokio (Parablechnum montanum) 'pink' fronds, are the result of red pigments called anthocyanins, which act as a sunscreen' to protect the growing tips of the new leaves. Grows from Mt Pirongia south, on the North, South, Chatham, Antipodes, Auckland and Campbell Islands. Col Lyall, Campbell Island *

DSC_2736 Mountain kiokio (Parablechnum montanum) 'pink' fronds, are the result of red pigments called anthocyanins, which act as a sunscreen' to protect the growing tips of the new leaves. Grows from Mt Pirongia south, on the North, South, Chatham, Antipodes, Auckland and Campbell Islands. Col Lyall, Campbell Island *

DSC_4993 Crown fern, or piupiu (Lomaria discolor) growing beneath treefern in a mixed broadleaf podocarp forest. Found throughout New Zealand, this fern usually prefers the drier forests from sea level to 900m. It is a handsome upright fern, with a 'shuttlecock' shaped crown. Peel forest *

DSC_4992 Crown fern, or piupiu (Lomaria discolor) forming dense cover on the forest floor in a mixed broadleaf podocarp forest. Found throughout New Zealand, this fern usually prefers the drier forests from sea level to 900m. It is a handsome upright fern, with a 'shuttlecock' shaped crown. Peel forest *

DSC_9831 A selection of New Zealand native ferns, including Brown tree fern (Dicksonia squarrosa), Crown fern (Lomaria discolor), and Kidney fern (Hymenophyllum nephrophyllum), scrambling amongst White climbing rata (Metrosideros diffusa) in coastal forest. Jackson Bay, South Westland *

DSC_3528 Golden tree fern, or wheki-ponga (Dicksonia fibrosa) a large, stout tree fern up to 10 m tall. Trunk comprised of dense mat of reddish brown interwoven rootlets. Dead fronds leave a tidy, persistent skirt beneath the crown. Rotorua *

DSC_3529 Golden tree fern, or wheki-ponga (Dicksonia fibrosa) a large, stout tree fern up to 10 m tall. Trunk comprised of dense mat of reddish brown interwoven rootlets. Dead fronds leave a tidy, persistent skirt beneath the crown. Rotorua *

DSC_8101134 Soft tree fern, or katote (Alsophila smithii) smaller than Cyathea medullaris, this slow growing tree fern reaches up to 8m tall, and grows throughout New Zealand. On the subantarctic Auckland Islands it becomes the southern-most tree fern in the world. The fronds often leave a skirt around the slender, fibrous trunk after they have died. Rakaitane Track, Moana *

DSC_8101125 Soft tree fern, or katote (Alsophila smithii) smaller than Cyathea medullaris, this slow growing tree fern reaches up to 8m tall, and grows throughout New Zealand. On the subantarctic Auckland Islands it becomes the southern-most tree fern in the world. The fronds often leave a skirt around the slender, fibrous trunk after they have died. Rakaitane Track, Moana *

DSC_8101127 Soft tree fern, or katote (Alsophila smithii) smaller than Cyathea medullaris, this slow growing tree fern reaches up to 8m tall, and grows throughout New Zealand. On the subantarctic Auckland Islands it becomes the southern-most tree fern in the world. The fronds often leave a skirt around the slender, fibrous trunk after they have died. Rakaitane Track, Moana *

DSC_4727 Silver tree-fern, or ponga (Alsophila dealbata) forest interior. View looking down from the canopy, to tree fern crowns above the forest floor. This tree fern prefers to grow in sites sheltered from the wind. It grows in well-drained soils, and once established, it will tolerate drier conditions. Otari *

DSC_4731 Silver tree-fern, or ponga (Alsophila dealbata) forest interior. View looking down from the canopy, to tree fern crowns above the forest floor. This tree fern prefers to grow in sites sheltered from the wind. It grows in well-drained soils, and once established, it will tolerate drier conditions. Otari *

DSC_4685 Silver tree-fern, or ponga (Alsophila dealbata) forest interior at night. View looking down from the canopy, to tree fern crowns above the forest floor in moonlight. This tree fern prefers to grow in sites sheltered from the wind. It grows in well-drained soils, and once established, it will tolerate drier conditions. Otari *

DSC_2811 Mamaku, or Black tree fern (Cyathea medullaris) our tallest tree fern, and one which also grows on Pacific Islands from Fiji to Pitcairn. Trees may be up to 20m tall, with fronds up to 6m long. A common species in lowland forests. Mamaku Plateau *

11009-01009 Mamaku, or Black tree fern (Cyathea medullaris) our tallest tree fern, and one which also grows on Pacific Islands from Fiji to Pitcairn. Trees may be up to 20m tall, with fronds up to 6m long. A common species in lowland forests. Karamea *