Trip Report – 3 May 2014 :   Puriri Track and Broad Gully Track

These short tracks above Wainuiomata, initially under kanuka, and then through beech forest, produced some unexpected botanical surprises.   First, masses of tiny beech seedlings, the product of a beech mast year, looking like tiny green butterflies on the forest floor.   Second, the start of the orchid-flowering season with at least two tiny orchids already in flower.   Pterostylis alobula and Corybas cheesemanii.   Colourful fungi, small and large, in the leaf litter and on wood, added further interest.   Findings of the orchid Drymoanthus adversus are always celebrated.   Both hard beech and black beech are present.

Pest control appears to have been successful with palatable plants such as five-finger and pate showing several years’ growth.   Other seedlings in evidence included miro and pukatea.

Another trip in a year or two would be worthwhile, to check on the survival and progress of those beech seedlings.

Participants :   Chris Hopkins (leader), Bev Abbott (deputy), Chris Horne, Barbara Mitcalfe, Rodney Lewington, Darea Sherratt, Sunita Singh, Gavin Dench, Brenda Johnston, Sheena Hudson, Jenny Dalton, Lyneka Onderwater.