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New Caledonian epiphytes & vines

25/11/2014

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On a recent trip to New Caledonia I managed to spot a few epiphytes and vines. Although I didn't get to explore any old-growth forest, it was interesting to see some similarities and differences to NZ flora in the species that I did encounter.

Pyrrosia species

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This Pyrrosia was very similar to our native species. The fronds were longer and the sori fewer but it was growing it similar habitat and with a similar form. Photo: C. Kirby.
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The fronds had small white dots on the upperside and some had sori on the underside. It did not have noticeably different sterile and fertile fronds. Photo: C. Kirby.

Fagraea species

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This species was a favourite of the community nursery that we visited. They said it grows epiphytically but is often used as a colonising species for new restoration plantings. Photo: C. Kirby.

Rumohra species

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This Rumohra was relatively common on trees in the village we visited and on rocks at a very disturbed planting site. Photo: C. Kirby.

Asplenium species

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This bird's nest fern was perched next to moss and Pyrrosia species in a forest village. Photo: C. Kirby.
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This bird's nest fern was in the Noumea Botanical & Zoological gardens and had a detritus-trapping form that is very similar to our Collospermum species. Photo: C. Kirby.

Lygodium species

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This Lygodium was common in the disturbed forest site. It was very similar to the NZ species. Photo: C. Kirby.
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The fertile Lygodium fronds. Photo: C. Kirby.
This island cousin of ours surely has a lot more to discover. Please feel free to post comments or photos if you have spent any time epiphyting in New Caledonia!
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Introducing: NZ Tree Project

12/11/2014

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In a previous post, I threw the idea of photographing an entire NZ native tree out into the online world. My dream is to produce something similar to the Nat Geo portraits of 2009 & 2012 right here in Aotearoa, New Zealand:
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Well, the idea took off and now I'd like to introduce you to the New Zealand Tree Project. A small team of scientists, photographers/videographers and tree climbers will be setting out in March 2015 to capture a large native tree through digital and print media. You can find out a lot more on our website.

We are currently hunting for the perfect subject tree so please let us know if you have suggestions... preferably a big beauty in the North Island with a fairly clear view from at least one side for the camera rigging.
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We are also currently on the hunt for sponsors and supporters so please let us know if you have any fundraising ideas or would like to make a contribution. A few avenues that we are going to target are judged on social media popularity so if you think this project is a good idea please "like" it on facebook. 

As always, your support is greatly appreciated!
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Only a few more days to left to secure your copy for Christmas...

5/11/2014

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That's right. The pre-release special on the Field Guide to New Zealand's Epiphytes, Vines & Mistletoes ends very soon. 

The book is almost all finished and will be on its way to the printers next week! We have been proofing for the last few weeks on a rough copy that the printhouse created and it has sure been flipped through a few times. Check out the state of this poor thing now:
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Finishing touches over the next few days include formatting the index, checking font colours and of course, the dreaded spell check!

To secure your copy at the special price of $35 (+$5p&p) follow the ordering instructions on the flyer BEFORE November 10th:
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After the 10th of November the price will return to $45 (+$5p&p) and won't be guaranteed to arrive before December 25th. Thank you to those who have placed their orders - we will be posting them out to you between the 12th and 15th of December.

To read more about the book how it has eventuated, check out the latest newsletter of the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network (page 12).

In the meantime, here are a few pictures from behind the scenes of the Field Guide to NZ's Epiphytes, Vines & Mistletoes:
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Tree hugger.... Photo: O. Henwood
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Handy tool. Photo: O. Henwood
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Not always glamorous but definitely lots of fun. Photo: C. Kirby
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Epiphyting! (for mistletoes this time). Photo: O. Henwood
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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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