Monday 3 February 2020

 Microleana avenacea or bush rice-grass is endemic to the North, South, Stewart and Auckland Islands, where its is fairly common in forests from sea level to 860m asl. A pleasing grass of 40cm or so tall, with spreading to somewhat drooping pale to deep green foliage, that can be slightly bluish in appearance. It is also recognised by its attractive slender and dainty flower stems, which can be up to 60cm tall and appear in summer. Being a forest dwelling species it is an ideal plant for growing under trees, and prefers moist soil and shade that is not too dense. It combines well with ferns and large leaved herbaceous plants.






Sunday 2 February 2020

Olearia odorata or scented tree daisy is endemic to the South Island. Its is found in lowland and montane shrubland and scrub, in the eastern parts from Marlborough to Otago, in Canterbury/Westland east of the main divide, and common in the Mackenzie Basin. A dark, bushy deciduous shrub that grows up to 4m tall, it has rather stiff interlacing branches, that are round in cross-section, although young branches are light fawn and downy, and are often flanged with narrow raisied ridges, one on either side of the stem, lined with fine grooves. It has small rather thick flat leaves that are dark green above and white underneath. Its flower buds are sticky, then small whitish scented flowers appear from December to February, followed by fluffy pale fawn to greyish white seed from January to March, that are dispersed by the wind.



Leptinella squalida subsp. mediana is endemic to the South and Stewart Islands. It is found from northwest Nelson and inland Marlborough to...