There's always something new to see here and, equally important, someone who can identify it for me! The following photo is of a Stinkhorn,
Aseroe rubra, or Flower Fungus, that I found on my DB2 rat line last Thursday. Stinkhorns are well known for their putrid, rotting meat, smell but this one must have fallen off its stem before producing it.
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| Flower Fungus, Aseroe rubra |
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| Aseroe rubra, spongy underside |
As mentioned in my previous blog, there were a couple of interesting specimens on the Horseshoe Point Track. The first of these was a fungus, similar to a bracket fungus, but white in colour and looking like mouldy bread on the topside. A fungal expert looked at the small photo on my camera and identified as
Laetiporus portentosus but I've just looked that up and can see differences - if anyone can confirm it, then please let me know.
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| Laetiporus portentosus underside |
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| Laetiporus portentosus top |
Just on from the bracket fungus was a branch stretching over the track and smothered with the native Autumn (or Easter) orchid,
Eirina autumnalis or Raupeka. For more info go to
http://www.nativeorchids.co.nz/Species/Earina_autumnalis.html . If you are interested in native orchids then look on their publications page - their colour field guide is great and definitely recommended.
Moturau Moana Gardens are found on the corner of Bragg Bay Road and Horseshoe Bay Road. The once-privately owned land was gifted to the Government and Stewart Islanders by the late Miss Noeline Barker and contains many plants/trees that aren't naturally found on the island.
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| Fruit of Swamp Astelia, Astelia grandis |
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| Unfurling koru on Hen and Chickens frond, Asplenium bulbiferum, Mauku |
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Kakabeak, Clianthus maximus, Kōwhai ngutukākā seed pods -
they split lengthways and open right out (see left) to disperse the seeds |
Kakabeak, although not native to the island, grows well here and attracts the birds. Get more info at
http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-plants/kakabeak/
There is a great viewing platform at Moturau Moana that looks back towards Halfmoon Bay - such a lovely place to sit and contemplate!
