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Hi
Kia ora and hello again.
Welcome to April's Bushmansfriend newsletter.
Autumns arrived. The days are becoming shorter and the nights longer. However, easters just around the corner.... along with the school holidays. It's another chance for you to get out and about with nature before winter. This month's newsletter features some of New Zealand's more intriguing plants, along with an account of the St James walkway and my recommendations for books that will help you appreciate New Zealand's natural heritage.
Blechnum novae zelandiae KioKio or gully fern is a common fern throughout New Zealand. An interesting characteristic is the fern frond does not have sori or the small dots that produce spores on the bottom of the frond like most ferns, rather it has a frond that's purpose is reproduction, not photosynthesis. Note the orange reproductive frond compared with the green photosynthetic frond.
Monoao Dacrydium kirkii is one of the more intriguing trees in New Zealand. Not only does it have male and female individuals (termed dioecious), it also has a juvenile and adult form. The above photo shows the adult foliage on the left and the juvenile foliage on the right, both stemming from the same branch.
The seed and female cone of kauri Agathis australis.
Many people are confused as to what exactly is the seed of the kauri tree. This photo shows a cone that has split apart as it fell from the tree. The winged seed is found within the cone, between the larger bracts. Usually the cone, which is about the size of a tennis ball, disintegrates on the tree, allowing the winged seed to be dispersed by the wind.
Read more about Kauri here
Hibiscus trionum is rare in the wild and confined to the far north, although becoming more popular in Northern gardens.It now seems certain that Hibiscus trionum is an introduced species as the wild populations are near old Maori kainga or villages. However many kiwi gardeners won't mind claiming it as one of their own. It is a hardy annual that is at its best in the Autumn.Purchase seeds of Hibiscus trionum from here
New photos this month
Ferns. A new photogallery of NZ ferns
Lophomyrtus pedunculata in flower
Phormium tenax harakeke in flower
Hebe stricta korimiko flowers
Coriaria tutu berries
Buy Time.... Purchase online
Avoid the rush and bustle of the mall and order from the internet in your own time. All these companies are reputable traders and the online process is safe, secure and amazingly simple. Select from these products celebrating New Zealand nature.
Posters and fine art prints Buy Photographic posters and art prints of New Zealand nature from AllPosters.com simple and safe for customers to find a selection that is perfect for their home, apartment, or office.
Souvenirs and momentos from New Zealand Uniquely New Zealand Products
Maori bone and jade carvings The Bone Art place specializes in only the highest quality genuine work from the very best of local artists.
Real groovy for music, games,DVD's,books
Natural history books Check out our selection of natural history books that include everything from garden design, using natives in ornamentation, identifying New Zealand's plants and ecology.
Book of the month: From Weta to Kauri: A Guide to the NZ Forest By Rob Lucas & Janet Hunt .
There are many guides to trees, birds and insects but nothing that puts them all together in one handy book that can be put in a backpack and taken into the bush. Including full-colour photographs, it looks at the bush in layers, starting at the forest floor, concentrating on things you can see easily, and moving up to the forest canopy. There is detailed information on each individual tree or plant or insect or bird, with excellent material on how to identify them. Highly recommended.Price reduced from $29.95 to $28.45
Heading north for Easter?.
Stay at Summerfields Country Lodge. A brand new country retreat offering 5 stylish ensuite rooms that won’t blow your budget. Only 1 hour’s drive north from the Bay of Islands, 20 mins from Totara North and 5 minutes’ drive to historic Mangonui’s cafes, shops and the famous Mangonui Fish & Chip Shop built over the water. check out Summerfields Country lodge here
Biology and science teachers.
Check out this resource from The University of Waikato which gives New Zealand examples of evidence for evolution.
St James Walkway
Dave and Miranda from Helensvile recently tramped the 6 day St James Walkway. View photos and read Dave's witty coments, along with reviews of 6 other New Zealand tramps.
Plant Nurserys and website operators. Check out what Bushmansfriend can offer you. Affiliate schemes are a no fuss way of creating a passive income.
Don't forget all the usual great content....
This month I have redesigned the home page making it simpler and more logical to surf Bushmansfriend
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.
Photos: R.Lyons & Ratcliffe collection
Now & Then
Mushroom Rock, Ranfurly Bay, Whangaroa Harbour.
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Until next time,
look after yourself..... and nature.
Contact : Tony Foster 73 Campbell Rd. Totara North RD2 Kaeo
Northland New Zealand
Phone: 09 4051844
Clown Rock Whangaroa Bay |
