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February in the forest

30/1/2014

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The many different epiphytes, mistletoes and vines in New Zealand means that there is always something interesting to find on tree trunks or in the canopy of our forests.

Flowering, fruiting, new growth and tree falls are among some of the interesting events that can be witnessed throughout the year. Depending on where you are, February in the forest might delight you with some of the following:

Kareao/Supplejack fruiting

Ripogonum scandens
Ripogonum scandens has bright red berries that enclose hard spotted seeds. Photo: C. Kirby.

Kahakaha flowering

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The nest epiphyte Collospermum hastatum has long drooping inflorescences that are pollinated by insects. Photo: Bill Clarkson.

Round black spores on karuwhai

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Rumohra adiantiformis has round, black spores - a feature that can be used to identify it, along with the plasticy bright green fronds and distinctive venation. Photo: C. Kirby.

New growth on... lots of things!

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The shiny new growth of this climbing rātā (Metrosideros fulgens) must be the result of a good spring and summer so far! Photo: C. Kirby.

Delicate winika flowers

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The largest flowers of our epiphytic orchid species, winika blooms can reach 3 cm in diameter. Photo: Phil Bendle.

Kohia fruit

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Our native passionfruit, Passiflora tetrandra is currently producing these bright yellow to orange fruit that can be found scattered across the forest floor. Look for the thick, light brown vines above. Photo: C. Kirby.
So make sure you get into your patch of forest in February to enjoy your local natural events!
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Muehlenbeckia: "nature's band-aid"

23/1/2014

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Two of the five Muehlenbeckia species in New Zealand are woody vines: pōhuehue (M. australis) and smalled-leaved pōhuehue (M. complexa). The other species predominantly creep along the ground, not reaching significant heights.

These two vine species play an important role as "nature's band-aid*". Like many vines, they grow in open and disturbed places such as forest edges, young scrubland, landslide scars and cliff tops. Pōhuehue in particular can grow very densely in these high-light environments and effectively stabilise soil, buffer temperature and humidity, and capture energy in the area. These characteristics act like a "band-aid" by preventing further disturbance (e.g. further soil loss after a landslide) and creating conditions in which other species can establish.

*Quote from ecologist Catherine Beard
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Pohuehue (Muehlenbeckia australis) growing densely at the forest edge. Photo: C. Kirby.
Muehlenbeckia species are often the only native species remaining in highly-modified landscapes and provide important habitat for diverse insect populations (QEII National Trust). They produce shiny black seeds within sweet white flesh that is thought to be a food source for insects and lizards.
Muehlenbeckia fruit
Fleshy fruit of Muehlenbeckia are a food source for insects and lizards. Photo: Phil Bendle.
An interesting situation arises when pōhuehue establishes on the edges of restoration plantings or valuable crops and the ecological values of these species have to be weighed against the competitive nature of their dense growth form. The result is that these species are often treated as weeds and removed.
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Dense growth form of pohuehue (Muehlenbeckia australis). Photo: Phil Bendle.
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    Catherine Kirby

    I work with NZ's native vascular epiphytes at the University of Waikato. I completed an MSc on epiphyte ecology and the shrub epiphyte Griselinia lucida and have recently published the Field Guide to NZ's Epiphytes, Vines & Mistletoes. 


    For me, the highlights of epiphyte research are the many unknowns, the amazing way that these plants survive in the canopy, and of course tree climbing!

    Subscribe to receive the weekly posts and join our facebook page to get interesting updates :)


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