New Zealand Alpine Flora

[RickR]

Fiordland....yup!

I also thought it was interest about those climate temperatures.

[Toole]

Fiordland --part 1

It's been such a great year for flowering elsewhere down south here Fiordland didn't disappoint.

Although it's an early season with most snow gone ,a bit of rain the day before our arrival meant a wet start to the first valley we visited.


Parts of the valley floor had experienced recent avalanche damage--it was interesting to see how some plants had pushed up through the disturbed area.






Further along growths of Dracophyllum menziesii appeared .


As we reached the valley end and started to climb a number of Dolichoglottis sps were sighted.






As well as Haastia sinclarii var fulvida and Celmisia hectorii.




Cheers dave

[Toole]

Also on the lower slopes were numerous patches of Celmisia bonplandii--a side view showing it's long dark coloured flowering stalks.



In shady spots a larger Ourisia .O macrocarpa.


We climbed high to reach the bottom of the cliffs to locate Ranunculus hybrids between R buchananii and R. sericophyllus--unfortunately non were in bloom , however i sighted a nice grass ,(name forgotten for the moment :-\0.


Realizing our route over to Black Lake was a bit difficult we decided to drop down before crossing.






AT Black Lake were some gems .....

Aciphylla congesta.

[Toole]

Above the lake and some distance away, Anisotome capillifolia.
Luckily i was able to capture a decent pic by using the camera's 20x zoom function.


Celmisia verbascifolia.


Further on up towards the saddle in wet seepages, Ranunculus sericophyllus.




View from the top, Raoulia buchananii.



 

Finally --on the way down on small rock rubble and short turf--Myosotis lyallii.

[Toole]

Although rain was forcast yesterday,we decided to visit the dryer east side of Fiordland .By the time moisture arrived at 5 pm my body was in automatic mode   so it was a blessing in some ways to cut short our trip.

A few highlights --
In grassland a nice small Celmisia hybrid and Anisotome haastii.




Depleted vegetative areas, largish mats of Celmisia sessiliflora, Phyllachne colensii and Geum uniflorum.







Bogs have a community of their own --including the hard cushions of Donatia novae zelandiae. Yummy    how the flowers sit on the plant.

[Toole]

Final posting  

Following the stream, Aciphylla pinnatifida --in water and on slightly dryer banks.




Nearby Gentianella montana.


Around the tarns ,wonderful large clumps of Aciphylla crosby-smithii and a single plant of Ranunculus lyalli x R.buchananii.






On exposed ridges were hundreds of Brachyglottis bellidioides. This was a particularly nice form.


Our target was the extensive area of fellfield below the cliffs --here were some beauties. Including Ourisia remotifolia and Ranunculus buchananii.




I leave you with Ranunculus heaven.


Cheers dave.

[Howey]

Toolie:  What gorgeous pictures of some gorgeous plants.  I have always wanted to grow Geum uniflorum - have tried several times with seed (not too easy to obtain) with no luck.  Can you give me some advice about growing them up here in Eastern Canada?  I have planted some Ranunculus lyallii in a tiny bog - it will get a lot of snow cover - and wonder if that will do the "trick".   

Frances Howey
London, Ontario, Canada
Zone 5b

[Booker]

Magnificent set of photographs once again, Dave ... oh that BEAUTIFUL Ranunculus buchananii ... 

[Toole]

Magnificent set of photographs once again, Dave ... oh that BEAUTIFUL Ranunculus buchananii ... 

Just about the perfect Ranunculi Cliff.

Toolie:  What gorgeous pictures of some gorgeous plants.  I have always wanted to grow Geum uniflorum - have tried several times with seed (not too easy to obtain) with no luck.  Can you give me some advice about growing them up here in Eastern Canada?  I have planted some Ranunculus lyallii in a tiny bog - it will get a lot of snow cover - and wonder if that will do the "trick".   

Thanks Fran

Not sure what your overall climatic conditions are but would presume if you experience any summer draught that could be a problem .

Geum uniflorum has preference for shady moist banks ,although in the southern end of Fiordland where moisture is year round and totals over 6 metres p.a. it will also be found out in the open on depleted vegetative spots.I've noted my diary to collect a little seed for you soon which i'll send fresh.Will be in touch.

Ranunculus lyallii also has a liking moist areas--from streamsides to old established fellfield,(large rock rumble)---in areas not so wet ,they grow where the foliage is in shade and the flowering heads in the sun.

Cheers dave.
 
   

[Toole]

But am I right when I believe new Zealand has few red and blue flowered plants? Think I once read something about that.

Sorry Trond
I just realised i haven't replied to your earlier question.

NZ alpine flowers are mostly whites and yellows, with a few blues and one or two reds like Raoulia buchananii.

I'm not sure of the reasons why ,although as i have discovered over the years ,(especially when i have been in close taking macro shots),there are many genera that are scented ---ranging from Brachyglottis,Myosotis,Leptinella and Aciphylla ,(to name just a few off the top of my head),so maybe scent is of more importance ....?

Cheers dave.

[Weiser]

Dave
I have been reading an article about insect pollinators in New Zealand. I wonder if the predominance of flies as the primary pollinators in many areas influences flower color. Since flies (as far as I know) are more attuned to scent cues versus visual cues.

http://www.newzealandecology.org/nzje/free_issues/NZJEcol1_66.pdf

[Hoy]

But am I right when I believe new Zealand has few red and blue flowered plants? Think I once read something about that.

Sorry Trond
I just realised i haven't replied to your earlier question.

NZ alpine flowers are mostly whites and yellows, with a few blues and one or two reds like Raoulia buchananii.

I'm not sure of the reasons why ,although as i have discovered over the years ,(especially when i have been in close taking macro shots),there are many genera that are scented ---ranging from Brachyglottis,Myosotis,Leptinella and Aciphylla ,(to name just a few off the top of my head),so maybe scent is of more importance ....?

Cheers dave.

Thanks, Dave! I haven't had time checking till now anyway, have had a trip to England last week (Univerity of Reading by the way). I think I have read the same as John about pollinating insects. And you are probably right about scent.

Your last pictures were fabulous, dave! The landscape is a little familiar - not unlike some places in Norway - but the vegetation and flowers are all different! My body itches to walk in such places.

[Toole]

Spent today showing 8 Danish folk a few 'weeds'     down at sea level --while i expected that most plants would be past flowering I knew Gentianella saxosa would be just starting.

Their preferred habitat is in gravel a meter or two above the high tide mark exposed to the elements of full sun, near constant wind and the effects of salt spray.





Being a relatively calm,sunny day there was quite a bit of insect activity which i managed to capture by changing over cameras.





I initially had limited success with this sps in the garden here. However planting out in an experimental sand crevice garden has seen it's stay more permanent and while it seeds around, is never a pest, unfortunately in our shady conditions they never achieve the tight clumps as in nature.

Cheers Dave.  
  

[Booker]

Beautiful images as always Dave.

[Hoy]

Dave, I wouldn't complain if such plants grew at the beach!