Botanical Art

Pterophylla sylvicola (syn. Weinmannia sylvicola)

Towai or tawhero

This is a northern species occurring from Te Paki south to the Waitakere and Kaimai Ranges. It is an attractive small tree of forest and forest margins. It has a juvenile form which can be superficially similar to Ackama rosifolia. Flowers are numerous, arranged in racemes. The one pictured was somewhat out of season, it usually flowers in late summer. It is easy to grow in cultivation, but will take up a bit of room in a garden.

Myosotis spatulata

This is a small prostrate Myosotis, found in the North, South, and Chatham Islands. It is listed as at risk, naturally uncommon. It prefers rocky places under forest or shrubland, and occasionally turns up as an urban weed – it appeared in my garden for a while. Branches root as they go, so it can form a largish patch. Flowers are single and very small.

Phyllocladus toatoa

Toatoa. This is a small tree to about 15 m. It is found in the North Island, from Lake Waikaremoana and Awakino to Ahipara and Mangonui. The ‘leaves’ are actually flattened branchlets, called phylloclades, and on this species are larger than the other two species. Branchlets are arranged in whorls, about four to six attached to the branch at the same place. Phylloclades are pinnate along the branchlets. This is a Gymnosperm and a podocarp, so the cones are small and fleshy, with small black seeds.

Coprosma virescens

This is a shrub from eastern New Zealand, from Gisborne south to Otago, but rare or missing in many parts of its range. It is fairly common in cultivation, being an attractive shrub to about 3 metres, with a graceful weeping habit and overall orange colour. It is one of New Zealand’s many small leaved divaricating coprosmas, and like all coprosmas it is dioecious (sexes on different plants). At Ōtari Coprosma virescens can be seen in the Divaricate Garden.

Brachyglottis sciadophila

This is a climbing or scrambling daisy in the same genus as rangiora. It is endangered, mostly due to habitat destruction and competition from weeds. It likes shade, and will cover areas of ground or climb over shrubs. The flowers are yellow daisies, but are not often seen. It has a rather scattered distribution from the central North Island south. I had a recent trip to Banks Peninsula, where it is relatively common, and collected it for Otari. Brachyglottis sciadophila can be seen in the Pittosporum border.

Plantago triandra

Small rosette herb, found in boggy places throughout the North, South, and Stewart Islands, though not the Tararuas or Mt Taranaki. Coastal areas in Taranaki and the West Coast. It is not very hard to grow in cultivation, but doesn’t like drying out too much. At Otari it can be seen in the Brockie Rock Garden, but seems to prefer seeding into the paths. The small drawing at the bottom is the seed capsule.

Celmisia lyndsayi

Commonly known as Lyndsay’s daisy. A robust, small coastal shrub, endemic to the South Island and found from the mouth of the Clutha River to Wakaia. Grows on rock stacks, tors and cliff faces. Flowers from August to March, flowers are yellow and white. Currently described as at risk - naturally uncommon.