the plants of new zealand, trees, shrubs, vines, and flowers
This tree fern guide will help you to quickly and easily identify New Zealand’s tree ferns. Glancing at this guide will help you identify mamaku, ponga, wheki and more tree ferns. A US friend of mine that spent many months traveling in New Zealand remarked…
Scale insects form the basis of an ecosystem in the native beech forests of New Zealand. Here is an explanation of this ecosystem and how introduced wasps are changing it. This sounds like it could be the title of some horror movie – scale insects,…
Flax is an endemic plant of New Zealand that is common throughout the country. Here are 7 facts about this plant that is important for people and animals. Flax is one of those features of the New Zealand landscape that is ubiquitous. You can see…
Puawhananga or bush clematis is a beautiful splash of white flowers in the green forests of New Zealand in the spring. Here are some cool facts about this common spring flower. I spent many years living in the Rocky Mountains of the USA where spring…
The Wheki tree fern is one of the most common and abundant tree ferns in New Zealand. Here are 2 tips to help identify this endemic New Zealand plant. I love going for a walk in the native forests of New Zealand. As a friend…
Introduced species can be a serious problem anywhere, but especially on islands. Here is a definition of introduced species, and why they can be problematic. I have lived in various parts of the USA, Madagascar, and now New Zealand. It seems like everywhere I’ve lived…
Supplejack is a vine that grows throughout the lowland, coastal forest of New Zealand. Here are 9 twisty facts about this common native plant. A friend of mine once told me something that I think nicely sums up this native vine. Supplejack is everywhere when…
These common epiphytes of New Zealand can be found on trees, boulders, or cliffs. Here are some basic facts about 5 epiphytes to help you identify them. New Zealand’s native forests, both the podocarp/broadleaf forests and the beech forests, are full of life. The trees…
New Zealand is home to a few prickly plants that you need to be careful of when you are out in nature. Here are 3 plants that can cause some serious pain. For the most part I feel like I’m in a safe, fun place…
New Zealand’s endemic Rimu tree is a common, towering tree of the podocarp/broadleaf forest. Here are 7 facts about this magnificent native tree. The islands of New Zealand are truly a nature lovers paradise. You can go walking around the mountains, coast, and forest without…