If you get into the hills these summer holidays, you’ll find many plants are in flower.
Many of New Zealand’s flowers aren’t particularly showy. But pay them closer investigation and many will reward you with a subtle beauty.
Here’s a selection from my just completed field-work throughout the South Island, where my pursuit of Gleichenia tangle-ferns led me up several mountains.
- Celmisia daisy. This ‘flower’ is actually an inflorescence of many small flowers, which can be seen in the outer yellow whorl.
Helichrysum coral daisy.
Leonohebe (Veronica) cupressoides, a kind of 'whipcord' hebe.
Dolichoglottis daisy, yellow snow marguerite.
Thelymitra sun orchid.
