New Caledonian epiphytes & vines

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

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.

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

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

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

This bird's nest fern was perched next to moss and Pyrrosia species in a forest village. Photo: C. Kirby.

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

This Lygodium was common in the disturbed forest site. It was very similar to the NZ species. Photo: C. Kirby.

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!