Common. Corticolous on rohutu (Lophomyrtus obcordata). Thallus white with occasional orange tinging but not red and thallus cracks not red.

Determination by Dr D.J. Blanchon.

Voucher: P.J. de Lange 14623, M. Prasad & P. Bell-Butler, UNITEC

See: Bannister et al. 2020.

Reference

Bannister, J.; Harrold, P.; Blanchon, D.J. 2020: Additional lichen records from New Zealand 51. Usnea dasaea Stirt. Australasian Lichenology 86: 114-117.

Undescribed species currently included within the tag name Cardamine aff. corymbosa "scree race".

Once common in the Castle Hill Basin, this Cardamine, which probably has the largest flowers of the 50 or so New Zealand endemic species is rapidly heading to extinction due to increasing pressure from a raft of basicolous weeds that have spread from adjacent pasture, following a shift from sheep farming to dairy / cattle farming.

In the 1990s this race was abundant on limestone scree in this area, plants often forming 'balls' of foliage up to 120 mm diameter. Now we could only find a handful of plants.

The flowers of this race are very sweetly scented, and up to 10 mm diameter.

Unnamed species belonging to a race known widely as Cardamine aff. corymbosa "scree race". However, Castle Hill Basin limestone populations of this race may be something different again.

Formerly common, now threatened by invasive basicolous weeds, especially Agrostis cpaillaris, Festuca rubra subsp. commutata and Leucanthemum vulgare.

At this location five plants noted, growing on fine limestone "flour" and rendzina on an eroded slope between limestone outcrops.

For other records see: http://naturewatch.org.nz/observations/8842946 and http://naturewatch.org.nz/observations/8966483

Amazing droopy form of Manuka growing within Manuka bog. Capsules on long stalks. I will see if it keeps its form from seed. Tagged “droopy woopy” for my notes as compared to “big nuts” which was more common on the salt marsh edges and “bendy wendy” which was an absolute freak with zigzagging growth habitat and mutant capsules.