| July 2006 Bushman's Friend newsletter |
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Hi
Kia ora and hello again.
Winter's arrived throughout the country with a vengeance.The bright side of the low temperatures is it deals to many plant pests and can encourage heavy spring flowering. Many seeds need a period of cold storage to ripen the embryo. It will be interesting to note the strength of flowering we will see in cabbage trees and pohutukawa this summer. Other winter action in the bush includes mushrooms carpeting the forest floor and germination of taraire berries, along with the winter flowering trees and shrubs.
This month's photos of winter's flowers.
Coprosma grandifolia syn C. australis (raurekau) has been flowering this week. Coprosma is a genus which show many of the unique characteristics of the NZ flora. Divarication is common with about 40 species employing this twiggy form. All are dioecious with male and female individuals, the flowers are inconspicuous with small dull green or white petals. There are many local species restricted in their range to a small area of NZ. The only Coprosma that grows into a tree, C. arborea, has a distinctive adult leaf form so different to the juvenile. They are all evergreen. The two seeded berries are dispersed by birds and just to confuse matters, hybridism is common.
C.grandifolia female flowers with translucent styles waiting to capture pollen..
C. grandifolia male with anthers rich with pollen; ready to be released in the breeze.
Kohekohe is also flowering this month. The flowers arise directly from the tree's trunk. Kohekohe, Dysoxylum spectabile, produces flowers every two years. Next winter these flowers will have developed into ripe fruits.The following winter the tree will produce flowers again.
Alseuosmia macrophylla produces beautiful and fragrant flowers.
Resources for teachers and students.
I have included on the website five slideshows in pdf. format that cover the special features of the New Zealand Flora as part of Investigating the Living World strand of the NZ science curriculum. Students can copy and paste the photos into projects or teachers can display the slideshows using a digital projector. Place on your intranet so students can access these in their own time.Download from this link. Flowers and Fruits, Coprosma, Pseudopanax, Plants of the coast, and The Features of New Zealand Plants.
New Zealand Fine Prints
New Zealand Fine Prints
Explore New Zealand Fine Prints' Online Art Store.Through this website you can easily find and purchase, at affordable prices, all New Zealand art prints currently available. New Zealand Fine Prints Ltd has been New Zealand's specialist supplier of fine art prints since 1966. Prompt delivery throughout NZ (for $6) or around the world (for $15).
Book of the month:
"NZ ferns & Allied Plants"
Patrick Brownsey, John C.Smith- Dodsworth
There is nothing more evocative of New Zealand bush than ferns, from tall tree ferns to epiphytes and species which sprawl over the ground or nestle in the dim light of crevices. This volume covers some 184 species plus the 22 related plants known as fern allies, to enable ready identification.
Buy it here from Fishpond
Northland Getaway??
Even though its winter, Northland has plenty to offer if you are searching for that weekend or school holiday break. Consider This: The mean monthly maximum temperature (degrees celsius) for July, recorded over twenty years for various New Zealand cities are : Kaitaia 15.6; Auckland 14.5; Rotorua 12.1; Wellington 11.4; Christchurch 11.3, Invercargill 9.8. If its winter warmth you're after you can't beat Northland. Spare a thought for Scott Base. Their July mean monthly maximum is -22.3
Arcadia Lodge, Russell, Bay of Islands
History, charm, good food & glorious views
Arcadia Lodge is a turn of the century home with commanding views of Matauwhi Bay. The relaxing, convivial and comfortable accommodation is just a stroll from Russell heritage village. I highly recommend Arcadia Lodge for accommodation in The Bay of Islands.Check out the Arcadia Lodge website from here.
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Until next time,
look after yourself..... and keep warm
Tony Foster
Bushman's Friend
New Zealand Nature Walks
New Zealand Trees and Plants
Campbell Rd. Totara North
RD2 Kaeo 0479
Northland New Zealand
Phone: 09 4051844
tony@bushmansfriend.co.nz
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