Quinn Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 (edited) Hi there, I thought I would post these shots of Drosera stenopetala in habitat in the North Island of New Zealand. These shots were taken this year in early March and involved a site I had not been to previously for this species. The trip involved 6hrs of driving from Auckland and 3hrs of rather steep ascent to the site. The site was quite unusual for this species and rather limited in scale. The site is just clear of the tree line amongst Olearia scrub with many Dracophyllum and Coprosma and plenty of grasses and tussocks. It is really dry and stoney - the unusual bit - as most alpine areas are peaty and involve numerous seepages. Small areas that were associated with previous slips and landslides are the site for D. stenopetala and involve numerous seeps and drains. Here you can find prolific numbers of D. stenopetala, though only in these small slips. Another slip only 200m around had D. arcturi and D. binata present alongside the D. stenopetala - I have not previously seen them all growing within metres of each other. I am assuming that the D. binata was given some protection from the snow and frequent freezing and re-freezing that occurs in mid-winter by growing immediately beneath the Olearia scrub and at the base of other plants. This first shot is on the way to the D. stenopetala habitat. This roadside swamp is alongside our SH1 and is known as Desert Road. This roadside swamp is home to the all green form of D. pygmaea, D. binata and numerous small D. spatulata. The classic volcanic cone in the background is Mt Ngauruhoe alongside the massive Mt Tongariro. This is looking from the same site only a little more to the west. This is Mt Ruapehu looking at the eastern side of the mountain. Actually, one week after this photo was taken, a magnificient lahar flowed down the mountain from the crater lake....rather spectacular. This is now looking at Mt Ruapehu from the south-west. This swamp is called Blyth Swamp and is home to Utricularia dichotoma forms. The forms previously known as U. novae-zelandiae and U. monanthos are present here and intergrades between them. You can find purple flowered, short inflorescences with two open flowers alongside much taller white-mauve flowered forms with single flowers. This swamp is also home to D. arcturi and D. spatulata. This is the site of D. stenopetala in the ranges behind the township Shannon. You can see the slip and this full of D. stenopetala. To give you an idea of how small this population is, this was the biggest slip and the shot shows how wide it is, which isn't that big at all. It is however about 100m in length. Though these areas are small, the species is abundant on the many other peaks and hills in the area and is in no way under threat. Here are some shots of the actual plants. Sadly this is another case of an irresponsible action by a CP enthusiast. Pinguicula grandiflora has been naturalised in an area on Mt Ruapehu. I had heard about this site some years back and though I spent many hours searching for I could not find it. This time however I did find the population of plants and though it occupies a small seepage area, it is relatively contained by mature forest and the main highway and has little chance of dispersal to other sites. The next time I am down that way, the day will involve some glyphosate application. This shot shows some nice alpine forms of D. spatulata on Mt Ruapehu. These ruby red jewels are much nicer up close than the photo does justice. The D. spatulata are on the left of this photo. This shot shows my 1964 XM Falcon and the equally awesome backdrop of Mt Ruapehu. This site is a nice drive up the mountain. I hope you enjoy the photos. Regards Quinn Edited September 1, 2007 by Quinn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ivan Snyder Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 Very nice Brian. Thanks for posting your photos. Please do destroy every one of thos alien P. grandiflora. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khelljuhg Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 Wonderful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fernando Rivadavia Posted April 22, 2007 Report Share Posted April 22, 2007 Great pics and story Brian!!! Best Wishes, Fernando Rivadavia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Earl Posted April 22, 2007 Report Share Posted April 22, 2007 Great stuff, Brian! Arbitrary herbicide application in a National Park! You scoff-law, you Nice run for the XM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Altair Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 OMG, that's AMAZING. It's difficult to find infos about D. stenopetala habitat. Now I'm pretty sure I'm growing it in the right conditions. PS: I have only the BCP green clone, if anyone has seeds of a red form, plz contact me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundewmatt Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 wouldnt it be better to just pull the plants out than potentially kill off surrounding stuff? these pings dont regenerate from the root, do they? matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obregon562 Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 it looks almost like a rotundifloia...with a few million years of evolution... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinn Posted April 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Great stuff, Brian! Arbitrary herbicide application in a National Park! You scoff-law, you Well, actually, I was speaking figuratively, but I did just check the map and the site is just outside the park by 40 - 50kms or so alongside SH4. You know how organised I am .....can you see me lugging Roundup 350kms down the country!! I am more than likely to field collect the Pinguicula specimens and grow them in my collection. Actually where the Pinguicula are growing is mostly bryophytes and a clay/loam bare ground. This area receives plenty of freeze-thaw action that lifts many plants....the area could easily be spot sprayed and only affect the butterworts....well and some mosses....but like I said, I am more than likely to dig them. Regards Quinn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinn Posted April 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 I forgot to say, thanks to all for the pleasant comments...I've forgotten how long it actually takes to sort the images you are going to post, resize the images, upload them, copy the link, insert and then create the text around them!! Phew!! Probably the reason why I haven't posted many topics for a while....always too much to do in the greenhouse or with life in general. I do lurk though and read most posts Many thanks to all those members that regularly post interesting topics....this forum really does have a community following and I am sure that I am not alone in appreciating all the hard work that goes into all posts. Actually, the reason I had time to post was because I wrote my car off a few weeks back....not too much damage to me, but the car is gone :cry: and thankfully no major injuries to the other party, but I wish she knew how to drive!! Before Earl asks it wasn't my Falcon, but my other car.....I would be shedding plenty of tears if it was my baby. Don't you hate it when someone hijacks a thread!! Regards Quinn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Allan Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Great photos- it is unusual to see photos of healthy looking D. stenopetala. Thanks for sharing. Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexander Nijman Posted May 5, 2007 Report Share Posted May 5, 2007 Hello, Those little Pinguiculas are nothing compaired to the problem they have there with Calluna vulgaris or Pinus radiata. KILL THEM! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinn Posted May 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2007 Hello,Those little Pinguiculas are nothing compaired to the problem they have there with Calluna vulgaris or Pinus radiata. KILL THEM! I strongly agree. Heather or Calluna vulgaris has seriously altered much habitat in the highlands of the central plateau of the North Island. It forms impenetrable thickets and prevents any native seeds from reaching the ground to germinate....or if they do germinate, they are completely starved of light and moisture. It is a great shame as it readily colonises disturbed habitats....sites that CP's and other rare NZ natives require. Pinus radiata....that is another story also!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aristolochioide Posted May 28, 2007 Report Share Posted May 28, 2007 nice. thanks for sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenofeden Posted May 28, 2007 Report Share Posted May 28, 2007 great pics, thanks well done for tackling those grandifloras...:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RL7836 Posted June 4, 2007 Report Share Posted June 4, 2007 wouldnt it be better to just pull the plants out than potentially kill off surrounding stuff? these pings dont regenerate from the root, do they?matt Whether Roundup or pulling, it takes a significant, usually long-term effort to actually rid an area of a plant. Whether the cause is ungerminated seeds or partial bits of rhizome / roots, plants keep coming out of nowhere. Much better to keep them out than to try & remove later .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Davin George Posted August 30, 2007 Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 Brian, Great article and excellent pictures. Really nice seeing some parts of home again. But got to agree, the pings have to go! Davin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos Rohrbacher Posted September 1, 2007 Report Share Posted September 1, 2007 (edited) Nice Drosera and habitat!!! ..."Sadly this is another case of an irresponsible action by a CP enthusiast. Pinguicula grandiflora"... Bad, really bad CPer Edited September 1, 2007 by Carlos Rohrbacher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chug Posted September 2, 2007 Report Share Posted September 2, 2007 Great photos, nice one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest periuk kera Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 wow...! nice car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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