Pukemokemoke’s enchanting epiphytes

Aka leaves   small, white'flowered  rata
Aka (Metrosideros perforata) is abundant at Pukemokemoke.

Our favourite reserve made it into last week’s NZ Epiphyte Network blog, courtesy of Waikato University’s Catherine Kirby.  

On the hunt for a white-flowered rata (Metrosideros albiflora) , she came across a host of other treasures.

Check out her post and pictures here. 

Catherine is a fan of epiphytes (sometimes known as air plants), and did her MSc thesis on them.  “For me, the highlights of epiphyte research are the many unknows, the amazing way that these plants survive in the canopy, and of course, tree climbing!”

Leaves of native jasmine (Parsonsia heterophylla)
Leaves of native jasmine (Parsonsia heterophylla)

The last time this keen botanist was at the reserve she had a bunch of young students in tow for the Pukemokemoke Youth Biodiversity Day, story here.

 

Frodo the Morepork at Pukemokemoke
Frodo the Morepork at Pukemokemoke

Catherine Kirby works as a research support officer at Waikato University’s Environmental Research Institute.

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Number 8 Network - a community website for the rural areas northeast of Hamilton, NZ, is run by Gordonton journalist/editor Annette Taylor.

2 thoughts on “Pukemokemoke’s enchanting epiphytes

  • July 8, 2014 at 11:45 am
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    glad you and other students are enjoying research at Pukemokemoke Catherine. Did you find that elusive white rata?
    Alan

    Reply
    • July 9, 2014 at 9:09 am
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      I don’t believe she did, Alan. She’s better come back! (Is it on the list?)

      Reply

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