A few weeks ago I had my mind blown at the John Child Bryophyte and Lichen workshop. I need to do some serious revision before I can share some of what I learnt but in the meantime, here is a photo blog about the vascular epiphytes I came across in the beautiful Kaimai ranges.
Next to the carpark at Aongatete Lodge this impressive clump is perching on a pukatea. It is mostly comprised of kahakaha (Collospermum hastatum) but also has kowharawhara (Astelia solandri) and a stray karamu (Coprosma robusta). Photo: C. Kirby.
Puawananga (Clematis paniculata) has finished flowering in these parts and is now displaying these beautiful seed heads. Photo: C. Kirby.
Kareao (Ripogonum scandens) was flowering next to Wairere falls. If you have a close look, these delicate little blooms are quite pretty. Photo: C. Kirby.
What a stunner! Kohurangi (Brachyglottis kirkii var. kirkii) was perched on a mahoe at head height on the side of the Ngamuawahine track. Photo: C. Kirby.
This isn't a great photo but I thought that this young puka (Griselinia lucida) on the Wairere falls track kind of resembled Christmas candy canes with its very even grooves. Photo: C. Kirby.
I thought that this plant was not only beautiful but also fascinating. Here is the filmy fern Hymenophyllum frankliniae with a lichen growing on/in it. It probably isn't overly good for the fern but it looks cool! Photo: C. Kirby.
Watch this space for a beginner's account of bryophytes (I didn't even get close to learning about lichens). It is whole new world of awesome little plants and ecological relationships! If you are interested, I would highly recommend the annual John Child Bryophyte and Lichen workshop. In the meantime, there are lots of cool vascular species to discover in the Kaimai ranges so let us know if you do any summer epiphyting there!
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