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Hi
Kia ora and hello again. You are one of 379 people subscribed to recieve this newsletter.
For most of us the summer holidays have been and gone, however in Northland the weather remains warm and humid, the sea is at its warmest and February and March usually brings some of the best weather and fishing of the year (unless a tropical cyclone decides to visit!), in which case the surfing can be real good. Good to see that this year schools don't start until after Waitangi day which gives teachers another week to get ready and students another week to enjoy New Zealand's environment.
The highlight of my summer has been hearing the pair of kiwi that regularly call to each other from my front lawn!. I have lived here in Whangaroa for 18 years and its only been recently that kiwi have wandered so close to the house. My neighbours and DOC are making a positive effort to eradicate the pests that kill the kiwi. A great good news story.
This month:
Two interesting Pseudopanax
Pseudopanax anomalum is so named because it is abnormal and unlike the other Pseudopanax. Most Pseudopanax have large compound leaves of between 3 and 9 leaflets. P. anomalum however has simple leaves 8-16mm long and is a shrub to about 4 metres. It grows from Mangonui to Invercargill.
Pseudopanax gilliesii is endemic to Whangaroa and Little Barrier Island. In Whangaroa the plant is very common and lives on the rocky bluffs and cliffs that surround Whangaroa Harbour. It is an attractive shrub to 5 metres usually with a mix of 1-3 foliate leaves and is locally called 3 fingered five finger.
Naming or identifying native New Zealand plants Identifying or putting a name to New Zealand native plants is the most common request I receive. The bushmansfriend website is a useful resource to help name and identify plants. I have added a page which gives small photos of a large number of species and a simple botanical description along with their geographic and environmental distribution. Check out this link Identifying plants
or if you have a specific query you can contact me for advice from this link
For a collection of photographs sorted by leaf, berries, flowers, bark and wood check out this photogallery link
Purchase one of the may books that have been written to help name the plant. Most of these books are based on the idea of a biological key where the reader is presented with a number of choices or 'roads to roam', based on observations of branching pattern, leaf size, flower and fruit structure and colour and natural distribution and environment in the wild. Of course, a picture is usually needed to confirm.
To help identify and name native plants I recommend the following books which can be purchased directly from here through my affiliation with Fishpond. The books are described and reviewed and simple to order and reach you by post.
Don't forget all the usual great content....
Native plant seeds for sale and germination strategies.60 species. Growing native plants from seed is fun, value for money, rewarding and helps the environment.
Species information, :Advice and hints on identification and cultivation of 80 common genera or species.
Photo galleries of New Zealand native plants fruits, bark, wood, flowers. Appreciate the intrinsic beauty of NZ's flora.
Newsletter Archive. Have you missed previous panui?.
Surfers friend. Absolutely nothing to do with plants.You can purchase some great photographic prints here.
Links to other web sites with information about New Zealand plants
Wairakau stream guided bush walk and boat trip Experience Whangaroa's natural heritage, Botany, Geology and History along with its marine environment.
Contact : Tony Foster 73 Campbell Rd. Totara North RD2 Kaeo
Northland New Zealand
Phone: 09 4051844
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