Alpine Flora
Aciphylla horrida
Key Summit
Named for its ferocious spines, this large Aciphylla can be 1.5m tall at flowering. It is a plant of high rainfall regions and so is very at home in Fiordland! It inhabits subalpine and low-alpine elevations, growing in scrub and tussock habitats.
Brachyglottis bellidioides
Key Summit
It's a very poor photo, but the only I have taken of this little, attractive montane daisy. The solitary, small (up to 3cm across) yellow flower is a good indicator of this species, as are the flat-lying, almost hairless, fleshy leaves.
B.bellidioides is widespread in damp habitats in mountain areas of the South Island and Stewart Island, but is absent from the North Island.
B.bellidioides is widespread in damp habitats in mountain areas of the South Island and Stewart Island, but is absent from the North Island.
Halocarpus bidwillii (Bog Pine)
Key Summit
The olive-green, compact foliage of this widespread alpine shrub strongly resemble a Hebe, but lack the 4-ranked, square arrangement of that genus. Like many podocarps, juvenile foliage is very different - in this species' case, it is needle-like.
As its name suggests, it is happy to grow in alpine and subalpine bogs, but is not restricted to those habitats.
As its name suggests, it is happy to grow in alpine and subalpine bogs, but is not restricted to those habitats.
Celmisia sp (durietzii or bonplandii)
Lake Marian (both photos)
Without a better view of the foliage, it's impossible to be certain which of these two similar species is shown here. Both occur in Fiordland and grow in the same habitat.
C.durietzii is distinguished from C.bonplandii by having narrower leaves and lacking purple pigment on the leaf midribs and sheaths. C.durietzii is also typically a larger plant, spreading up to a metre across.
C.durietzii is distinguished from C.bonplandii by having narrower leaves and lacking purple pigment on the leaf midribs and sheaths. C.durietzii is also typically a larger plant, spreading up to a metre across.
Celmisia sessiliflora
Key Summit
This species is described in the Flora of Arthur's Pass section of the site.
Chionochloa pallens ssp. pallens
Homer Tunnel
A variable, widespread species with three subspecies in New Zealand, C.pallens is a common grass. The name derives from the pale midrib, which is clearly visible on the underside of each leaf.
The flowering stems are held well-clear of the leaves in this species - others tend to have them only partly above the foliage.
The flowering stems are held well-clear of the leaves in this species - others tend to have them only partly above the foliage.
Coprosma fowerakeri (perhaps)
Key Summit
A small-leaved, montane Coprosma, this species was only described in 2003. The photo doesn't show some of the distinguishing features of this species (such as its decumbent habit and many-branched habit), but the short, thickened leaves are clearly different from its cousin C.pseudocuneata. C.fowerakeri is endemic to the South Island mountains.
Celmisia petriei
Key Summit
The long, flax-like leaves of this robust Celmisia make it easy to recognise. These leaves have a prominent pair of ribs on their upper surface and can be up to 40cm long. The flower heads appear relatively small in this species in comparison to the foliage, and are held on stalks up to 50cm tall.
C.petriei is a high-rainfall species with a disjunct distribution centred on northwest Nelson and the south western mountains of Otago and Fiordland.
C.petriei is a high-rainfall species with a disjunct distribution centred on northwest Nelson and the south western mountains of Otago and Fiordland.
Celmisia semicordata
Key Summit
Hebe odora
Key Summit
Despite its scientific name, it is not obvious how this widespread upland shrub is in any way scented! Nonetheless, it is beautiful and fairly easy to identify - the glossy, untoothed leaves are clearly 4-ranked (as this photo shows) and the flower emerge as crowded, small clusters on the branch tips.
Hebe subalpina
Lake Marian
This lovely shrub tentds to occur at higher elevations (hence its scientific name) but can occur in forests as well. Its glossy, neat, untoothed leaves and fairly dense, compact flower spikes help to identify it.
H.subalpina is endemic to the South Island.
H.subalpina is endemic to the South Island.
Podocarpus nivalis (Mountain Totara)
Key Summit
This common alpine species is described in the Flora of Arthur's Pass NP section of the site.
Dolichoglottis lyallii
Lake Marian
One of the few yellow-flowered 'daisies' in the New Zealand mountains, D.lyallii occurs only in the South Island and Stewart Island. Apart from the large, yellow flowers, the long, grass-like leaves are distinctive.
Pentachondra pumila
Key Summit
This species is described in the Flora of the North Island section of the site.
Viola cunninghamii
Key Summit
This is the most common and widespread alpine violet in New Zealand found across the country and also in Tasmania.
The tufted habit and orange-centred flowers help to distinguish this species from the other widespread species, V.filicaulis, although this is much more of a forest plant.
The tufted habit and orange-centred flowers help to distinguish this species from the other widespread species, V.filicaulis, although this is much more of a forest plant.
Drosera spathulata
Key Summit
The smallest of New Zealand's three alpine sundews, this species is quite similar in appearance to D.stenopetala, and both can occur together. A key feature of D.spathulata is a pair of papery stipules at the leaf bases, but those aren't visible on this photo. The leaves of both species are a similar shape.
Based on size, this photo shows D.spathulata, but without seeing critical features, it's impossible to be 100% certain.
Based on size, this photo shows D.spathulata, but without seeing critical features, it's impossible to be 100% certain.
Dracophyllum pronum
Key Summit
As its scientific name suggests, this alpine species grows flat against the ground. It has shorter leaves than many Dracophyllums, with typical, white, 5-petalled flowers.
D.pronum is a South Island endemic.
D.pronum is a South Island endemic.
Dracophyllum kirkii (probably)
Key Summit
This species id described in the Flora of Arthur's Pass section of the site.
Forstera sedifolia
Key Summit
Named for the leaves' resemblance to those of Sedum species, this attractive plant can be found in the Southern Alps and Stewart Island. When present, the white flowers occur on dark, wiry stems.
Identification of this species has become more difficult, following revision o the genus in 2010 by David Glenny. F.sedifolia was split into two species, the other being F.purpurata, and both occur in Fiordland, sometimes growing with each other. F.purpurata is smaller, has narrower leaves and their lower surface has purple pigmentation, hence the name. Although they grow in the same habitats, F.purpurata prefers shadier and damper places. Based on the open habitat, this plant appears more likely to be 'true' F.sedifolia, rather than its smaller cousin.
Another Forstera, F.tenella (syn. T.bidwillii), is more widespread, has longer, narrower, rounded leaves and occurs in damper habitats.
Identification of this species has become more difficult, following revision o the genus in 2010 by David Glenny. F.sedifolia was split into two species, the other being F.purpurata, and both occur in Fiordland, sometimes growing with each other. F.purpurata is smaller, has narrower leaves and their lower surface has purple pigmentation, hence the name. Although they grow in the same habitats, F.purpurata prefers shadier and damper places. Based on the open habitat, this plant appears more likely to be 'true' F.sedifolia, rather than its smaller cousin.
Another Forstera, F.tenella (syn. T.bidwillii), is more widespread, has longer, narrower, rounded leaves and occurs in damper habitats.
Cyathodes juniperina (Prickly MIngimingi)
Key Summit
Aptly-named, this common and widespread shrub can be recognised by its stiff, very prickly leaves, which have characteristic dark lines on their undersides.
C.juniperina can be seen across New Zealand's three main islands in a wide range of habitats, from lowlands up to shrubby mountain slopes. Like several other members of the Epacridaceae in New Zealands, this species can also be found in Tasmania and south-eastern Australia.
C.juniperina can be seen across New Zealand's three main islands in a wide range of habitats, from lowlands up to shrubby mountain slopes. Like several other members of the Epacridaceae in New Zealands, this species can also be found in Tasmania and south-eastern Australia.
Pratia angulata & Leptinella squalida
Lake Marian
This common member of the Lobelia family can be seen throughout damp, upland areas of New Zealand. Its sprawling habit means it is often seen amidst other plants, apparently appearing from nowhere.
The similar P.macrodon is another montane species, but is more compact in all its parts, has scented flowers and purple berries - those of P.angulata are more pinkish.
The similar P.macrodon is another montane species, but is more compact in all its parts, has scented flowers and purple berries - those of P.angulata are more pinkish.
Forest Plants
Aristotelia serrata (Wineberry)
The Divide
A common and beautiful small forest tree, Wineberry can be seen throughout New Zealand's moist forests. The soft, finely-toothed leaves are distinctive, and when the racemes of pink flowers are present, the species is very easy to recognise. The flowers open white, and only become pinkish-red as they age. Likewise, the edible red berries age to black.
Ascarina lucida (Hutu)
The Divide
This species is described in the Flora of the northern South Island section of the site.
Melicytus ramiflorus (Mahoe)
Marian Falls
This common species is described in the Flora of the Catlins & Canterbury section of the site.
Peraxilla tetrapetala
Deers Flat
A beautiful and common mistletoe in the wet west of the South Island, this species can be recognised by its small leaves and flowers that are solitary or in groups of two or three. The similar P.colensoi is described in the Flora of the South-west South Island section of the site.
Fuchsia excorticata (Kotukutuku / Tree Fuchsia)
pollinated flower
unpollinated flower, The Divide (all photos)
The largest Fuchsia species in the world, this lovely plant is one of the most distinctive trees in New Zealand's forest. Even without the stunning flowers loaded with blue pollen, the papery, peeling rusty-coloured bark makes i very easy to recognise. The trunks are often curved and twisted into beautiful, sculptural forms.
Like some other New Zealand trees, the flowers go through a colour change, emerging green and only turning red after being pollinated. Flowers can emerge from almost anywhere on the tree, even directly from the trunk!
mixture of pollinated and unpollinated flowers
Like some other New Zealand trees, the flowers go through a colour change, emerging green and only turning red after being pollinated. Flowers can emerge from almost anywhere on the tree, even directly from the trunk!
mixture of pollinated and unpollinated flowers
Pterostylis sp (possibly P.australis)
forest below Key Summit
It's impossible to be certain which Pterostylis species this is, partly because it's an incompletely-described genus in New Zealand. The flowers most closely resemble P.australis, which in itself it something o an uncertain species, despite being widespread in western parts of the South Island.
It is characterised by having a long upper tepal (the hook at the top of the flower), but shorter than that of the more common and widespread P.banksii. This is also downcurved - that of P.banksii tends to curve upwards at the tip. The flowers have abundant white striping. This feature is shared with P.banksii, but in that species the stripes are translucent, rather than opaque. The leaves in these photos also look more like those of australis than the very long leaves of banksii.
It is characterised by having a long upper tepal (the hook at the top of the flower), but shorter than that of the more common and widespread P.banksii. This is also downcurved - that of P.banksii tends to curve upwards at the tip. The flowers have abundant white striping. This feature is shared with P.banksii, but in that species the stripes are translucent, rather than opaque. The leaves in these photos also look more like those of australis than the very long leaves of banksii.
Nothofagus menziesii (Silver Beech)
Key Summit
This handsome tree is widespread in the wetter south-west of New Zealand, where it tends to replace N.solandri var.cliffortioides. See the entry for that species for further description of these similar trees.
The common name derives from the shiny, silvery bark on the trunk.
The common name derives from the shiny, silvery bark on the trunk.
Ferns
Polystichum vestitum (Prickly Shield Fern)
Marian Falls
This common forest fern is described in the Flora of the south-west South Island section of the site. The Polystichum is the darker frond in the background; the lighter one in the foreground is a Dicksonia spcies.
Leptopteris superba (Prince of Wales Feathers)
Marian Falls (all photos)
One of New Zealand's most spectacular terrestrial ferns, the wet west coast of the South Island is the stronghold of this attractive species. The transparent, overlapping pinnae and robust, upright habit give this fern a unique and unmistakable appearance.
