The Little Trickies Lurking at Home
I've learnt so much on this site, the names of plants, birds and insects that I have seen all my life but not really seen and it is a great learning experience which goes to show that the saying "you are never to old to learn" it so true!
So I have been learning the basic names of plants and just when I think I can recognise them, some become tricky just to catch me out!
Coprosma Neglecta and Coprosma Rhamnoides
It all stated with a coprosma that I photographed and there was a discussion about which one it was.
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/2441607
That started me on the search to be able to identify the different ones, which I have managed to do so now I feel I can say that I can spot those ones and get the variety right.
Basically the C.neglecta grows like a ground cover while the C.rhamnoides grows like a small shrub.
Muehlenbeckia complexa and Muehlenbeckia complexa var. complexa Scrambling Pohuehue and Small-leaved pohuehue
Next I came across the pohuehue, or scambling pohuehue. Sweet, got another one I can recognise. But no, after 2 different obs of those I put up another one and find that it is the Small-leaved pohuehue! I'm still working out the differences of those so I can spot and name them correctly. And there is also another variety that is up my ways that I have not even spotted yet!
have to be careful what one says in haste ... but moving on, muehlenbeckias have alternate leaves and ochrea (translucent/papery bracts at base of leaf) whereas coprosmas all have opposite leaves - and fused stipules between the adjacent petioles.
meurkc, https://inaturalist.nz/observations/2599919
Pimelea urvilleana and Pimelea villosa
The latest ones to trick me are from the Riceflowers whanau.
I had a couple of obs that were P.urvilleana and then got another plant photo, put it up with that name (but still asking for ID) and well well. Not that one but P.villosa
The difference is that P.urvilleana has a creeping habit while P.villosa grows only in sand and more of a shrub.
I bet there is still another variety that I have not photographed yet and will catch me ot just when I think I have these two sorted :D
And I am so sure that there are ones that have not even revealed their trickyness yet! Love it!
Below are the little trickies I have found so far :D
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Scrambling Pohuehue (Muehlenbeckia complexa)Observer
tangatawhenuaDescription
Growing like a ground cover
Photos / Sounds
What
Coprosma neglectaObserver
tangatawhenuaDescription
Another one on yet another track :)
Photos / Sounds
What
Twiggy Coprosma (Coprosma rhamnoides)Observer
tangatawhenuaDescription
A distinctly erect coprosma as opposed to the flat one.
Photos / Sounds
What
Small-leaved Pohuehue (Muehlenbeckia complexa var. complexa)Observer
tangatawhenuaDescription
Love the way this has created a sculptural artwork using the resources around!
I think it is a pohuehue.
Photos / Sounds
What
Pimelea urvilleanaObserver
tangatawhenuaDescription
Growing amoung the very low growing Leptospermum scoparium (http://naturewatch.org.nz/observations/2447119)
Photos / Sounds
What
Autetaranga (Pimelea villosa)Observer
tangatawhenuaDescription
I think I got this one named right :)
Growing in the mid dune area of Kapo Wairua.
Comments
LOL Just seen the way the little trickies placed themselves on the first line! How tricky :D
From left to right:
Muehlenbeckia complexa (Scrambling pohuehue)
Coprosma Neglecta
Coprosma Rhamnoides
Muehlenbeckia complexa var. complexa (small-leaved pohuehue)
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/2483564 - perfect example of the Muehlenbeckia alternative leaves.
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