Ranunculus enysii (probably)
Lake Alta
The Otago mountains are a stronghold of R.enysii, where it grows amongst other low vegetation in sheltered, moist sites.
This plant could well be R.enysii, given its low-growing habit and small leaves, but other species can't be completely ruled out without a better set of photos, (e.g. R.multiscapus).
This plant could well be R.enysii, given its low-growing habit and small leaves, but other species can't be completely ruled out without a better set of photos, (e.g. R.multiscapus).
Colobanthus sp (acicularis perhaps)
Lake Alta
It's impossible to identify this species precisely without seeing the flowers and a closer view of the leaves, but it could well be the widespread C.acicularis.
Hectorella caespitosa
Lake Alta
This impressive cushion-forming alpine species can grow to large sizes with age. As a species, it is easy to recognise, as its individual rosettes are composed of many overlapping green, triangular leaves. The sessile flowers form 'crowns' around each rosette. Individual plants are either male or female.
H.caespitosa is a species of rocky habitats, like stable scree, fellfield and other areas of consolidated debris.
H.caespitosa is a species of rocky habitats, like stable scree, fellfield and other areas of consolidated debris.
Acaena saccaticupula
Lake Alta
Acaena species can be very similar in overall appearance, although A.saccaticupula is distinctive in its red-tinted foliage and narrow leaflets.
When viewed closely, the usually undivided leaf stipules and purple anthers are also diagnostic, although these are obviously not visible on this rather poor photo.
When viewed closely, the usually undivided leaf stipules and purple anthers are also diagnostic, although these are obviously not visible on this rather poor photo.
Anisotome aromatica var.aromatica
Lake Alta
New Zealand's most widespread alpine Anisotome species, found in mountains throughout the North, South and Stewart Islands. It is a low-growing plant with finely-divided, pinnate foliage and typical white umbellifer flower heads.
A.flexuosa is quite similar but has prominent hairs on the tips of the leaflets. Two other varieties of A.aromatica (major and obtusa) do not reach as far south as Otago.
A.flexuosa is quite similar but has prominent hairs on the tips of the leaflets. Two other varieties of A.aromatica (major and obtusa) do not reach as far south as Otago.
Aciphylla kirkii
Lake Alta
This species is one of the easier Aciphyllas to identify, as it has leaves with only up to three leaflets. These are very thick and extremely sharply-pointed. It has a restricted distribution, being endemic to central and western Otago.
Aciphylla aurea
Pisa Range
This large, common Aciphylla is often a dominant species in grazed or modified grassland. The distinctive yellow-orange colour of the leaves and its large size make it easy to recognise. Only A.scott-thomsonii and A.horrida have a taller flower spike.
Dracophyllum muscoides
Lake Alta
New Zealand's smallest Dracophyllum species is aptly-named, as it does resemble a cushion of moss covering the bare, rocky soil on a mountain summit ridge. Individual branches that make up the cushion only grow to around 4cm long.
This species is mainly restricted to Otago, where it can be a dominant cushion plant in exposed habitats. It also found is small areas of neighbouring Canterbury and Fiordland.
This species is mainly restricted to Otago, where it can be a dominant cushion plant in exposed habitats. It also found is small areas of neighbouring Canterbury and Fiordland.
Coprosma perpusilla
Lake Alta
A commonly-seen species in the Otago mountains, this creeping dwarf shrub is easy to spot when the bright orange, edible berries are present in mid-summer. When not fruiting, the hairless leaves differentiate it from C.petriei and C.atropurpurea, which have a similar mat-forming habit.
C.perpusilla is widespread in New Zealand's mountains and is also found in south-eastern Australia and Tasmania.
C.perpusilla is widespread in New Zealand's mountains and is also found in south-eastern Australia and Tasmania.
Celmisia sessiliflora
Lake Alta
This comon species is described in the Flora of Arthur's Pass section of the site.
Raoulia grandiflora & Epilobium sp
Lake Alta
It's impossible to tell which Epilobium species is pictured here - it could be one of several.
Raoulia grandiflora is described in the Flora of Arthur's Pass section of the site.
Raoulia grandiflora is described in the Flora of Arthur's Pass section of the site.
Raoulia hectori & Colobanthus sp
Lake Alta
This attractive Raoulia forms dense, hard, silvery mats in open, high-alpine habitats on the mountains of Otago and neigbouring south Canterbury.
It is distinguished from similar species by its noticeably thickened leaf margins and tips.
It is distinguished from similar species by its noticeably thickened leaf margins and tips.
Wahlenbergia albomarginata
Moke Lake
Named for the white margin on the leaves, this species is widespread in many parts of the South Island and Stewart Island and is not restricted to upland areas.
It has pale flowers (sometimes white) that usually droopon their stems, although this photo doesn't show that!
It has pale flowers (sometimes white) that usually droopon their stems, although this photo doesn't show that!
Ourisia glandulosa
leaf rosette detail, Lake Alta (both photos)
This attractive species is part of a group of Ourisias with hairy leaves that can be hard to identify (at least from photos).
O.glandulosa is characterised by having its older leaves glabrous (without hairs), which can be clearly seen in the second photo here. It is plant of sunny, exposed mountain crests and fellfields, where the soil remains moist, and is restricted to the southern half of the South Island.
O.glandulosa is characterised by having its older leaves glabrous (without hairs), which can be clearly seen in the second photo here. It is plant of sunny, exposed mountain crests and fellfields, where the soil remains moist, and is restricted to the southern half of the South Island.
Ourisia caespitosa
Lake Alta
A widespread, creeping Ourisia of open, cool, damp habitats in the mountains, this plant can be recognised by its growth habit, hairless leaves and flower stems, which often bear two flowers on very short stalks.
This species is found throughout the mountains of New Zealand.
This species is found throughout the mountains of New Zealand.
Chionohebe pulvinata
Lake Alta
This beautiful, furry South Island alpine occurs in stabilised scree and fellfield. Here it can grow over time into dense, greyish cushions. In mid-summer, the cushions become covered in small, white flowers.
Hebe epacridea
Lake Alta
This very attractive dwarf Hebe is quite easy to recognise, thanks to its thick, short, recurvd leaves, which are quite densely-packed along the stems. Although the petals look violet in this photo, the flower are white when fully opened.
H.epacridea is endemic to the South Island, where it prefers drier, rocky habitats. It is very at home high in the mountains, and can lay claim to being one of the highest-altitude vascular plants in New Zealand.
H.epacridea is endemic to the South Island, where it prefers drier, rocky habitats. It is very at home high in the mountains, and can lay claim to being one of the highest-altitude vascular plants in New Zealand.
Carex sp
Lake Alta
Currently unidentified!
Poa incrassata
Lake Alta
This attractive, small-growing species is found in exposed habitats on the mountains of Otago, Fiordland and Stewart Island.
Trisetum spicatum
Lake Alta
The photos here don't show the features of this alpine grass very well - namely, the slightly hairy, flat leaves and striped leaf sheaths. The tall inflorescences are also very distinctive when present.
Chionochloa crassiuscula ssp.torta
Lindis Pass
Named for its twisted leaf-tips, this is a common tussock of the South Island. It favours wetter soils than C.pallens, and is smaller, reaching less than half a metre in height when not in flower.
Chionochloa rigida
Lindis Pass
This large grass grows as tough, tawny-green clumps. As its name suggests, the culms and leaves are rigid and don't droop like those of some other Chionochloa species.
Two subspecies are found in the South Island: rigida, which has an eastern distribution and amara, which occurs in the west and on Stewart Island.
Two subspecies are found in the South Island: rigida, which has an eastern distribution and amara, which occurs in the west and on Stewart Island.
Chionochloa macra (Slim Snow Tussock)
Lake Alta
At higher altitudes in Fiordland, this species replaces C.rigida as the common Chionochloa species. Like many grasses, critical characters help distinguish it: unlike many members of the genus, old leaves remain on the tussocks of C.macra, rather than breaking off - only the tiny, mat-forming C.oreophila and C.pallens (see below) share this feature. C.macra can be distinguished from C.pallens by its soft leaves - those of C.pallens are rigid and tough.
Bulbinella gibbsii var.balanifera (Swamp Lily / Maori Onion)
Lindis Pass
As the common name suggests, this beautiul yellow flowered plant favours damp grassland (technically not swamps, although the nominate form does!). Six species of Bulbinella occur in New Zealand, but only this one and B.angustifolia are found in Otago. The latter has very narrow leaves. The nominate form of B.gibbsii is endemic to Stewart Island.
Polystichum cystostegia
Lake Alta
This common, small fern is a plant of open, rocky areas, typically at subalpine elevations. No other species in this habitats has similar bipinnate fronds.
P. cystostegia can be found on all three main New Zealand islands.
P. cystostegia can be found on all three main New Zealand islands.