Future Events

Pipeline Track.

Saturday 10th of September 2022, 09:00 AM (3 weeks from now)

Contact: John Steel | john.steel@otago.ac.nz | 021 2133 170

The Cryptogang – a group of enthusiasts who meet three times a week to explore the often ignored worlds of the cryptogams, including lichens, liverworts, mosses, and hornworts (as well as their larger, more obvious co-inhabitants) – invite you to accompany them into their fascinating and beautiful underworlds. Be prepared not to walk very far and bring a hand lens if you have one.

Leave Botany Department car park at 9am. Contact John Steel, john.steelATotago.ac.nz or 021 2133 170

Geoff Baylis lecture: Taxonomic revision of native New Zealand forget-me-nots (Myosotis, Boraginaceae): An update.

Wednesday 14th of September 2022, 06:00 PM (4 weeks from now)

Contact: Gretchen Brownstein | brownsteing@landcareresearch.co.nz

Speaker: Heidi M. Meudt, Researcher Botany, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Location: TBA, 6pm (nibbles at the staff club from 5:15).

New Zealand is a main centre of Myosotis diversity, with about half of the c. 90 total species worldwide. Taxonomic revision is a high priority in New Zealand forget-me-nots (Myosotis, Boraginaceae), a genus in which most of the species are classified as Threatened, At Risk-Naturally Uncommon, or Data Deficient according to the New Zealand Threatened Classification System (NZTCS). The core focus of my research is to produce a taxonomic revision of all native southern hemisphere Myosotis species using analyses of morphological, pollen, genetic and field data. We aim to answer the following questions: How many native southern hemisphere Myosotis species are there? How can they be identified? Where are they found? What is their conservation status? Since starting on this project in 2010, my collaborators and I have revised two-thirds of the southern hemisphere species, with the remaining 20 species and tag-names currently under study. This research continues to contribute fundamental data to biodiversity knowledge and databases, and to the NZTCS assessment panel. For example, of the c. 1700 Myosotis specimens at Te Papa’s herbarium (WELT), almost 30% were collected since 2010, all are databased and imaged, many have been recently curated, and most are online, see here. In this talk, I will give a broad overview of the Myosotis research project results, discoveries, field work, and taxonomic implications to date. I will also highlight work-in-progress and future directions.

Biography: Heidi Meudt is a Researcher in Botany at Te Papa (since 2006). She completed her PhD in Botany in 2004 at the University of Texas at Austin, and was an Alexander von Humboldt Experienced Research Fellow at the University of Oldenburg, Germany from 2012-2014. Her main research focus is on the taxonomy and systematics of southern hemisphere plants, particularly Plantaginaceae and Boraginaceae. Her research integrates data from morphology, DNA, pollen, chromosomes and other sources to revise the taxonomy and better understand the geographical, morphological and phylogenetic patterns of plant species, especially New Zealand species radiations.

Mahaka Katia Scientific Reserve (Pisa Flats).

Saturday 1st of October 2022, 08:00 AM (1 month from now)

Contact: David Lyttle | djl1yttle@gmail.com | (03) 454 5470

Mahaka Katia Scientific Reserve (Pisa Flats) is situated on an elevated terrace above Lake Dunstan just north of Cromwell. It is a unique example of Central Otago dryland habitat that has mostly been lost to agricultural development and residential subdivision. Pisa Flats is one of the few remaining places where populations of a number of rare, native, dryland endemic species can still be found. These include Raoulia monroi, Lepidium solandri, Convolvulus verecundus and Myosotis uniflora. This Myosotis species is classified as At Risk – Naturally Uncommon and the yellow-flowered form is more or less confined to the Pisa Flats. We are timing our visit to hopefully coincide with its spring flowering. If we have time, we will possibly visit the saline sites at Springvale Scientific Reserve or the Chapman Road Reserve both near Alexandra to look at Central Otago spring annuals, a suite of dryland species that includes Myosotis brevis, and the tiny buttercup relatives, Ceratocephala pungens and Myosurus minimus.

We will meet at the Botany Department carpark at 8.00 am and travel to Cromwell and then on to the Reserve. Bring lunch, warm clothing, rain gear and suitable footwear. Travel time from Dunedin to Cromwell is approximately 3 hrs. Contact David Lyttle (email djl1yttleATgmail.com Ph (03) 454 5470).

An Amalgamation of Cryptogams: A Showcase of their Dynamic Life Histories and Understated Role in the Ecosystem.

Wednesday 12th of October 2022, 05:20 PM (1 month from now)

Contact: Stella Fish | sls.fish@outlook.com

Come along to hear Jess, Stella and Kacey open your eyes to the often forgotten world of mosses, liverworts and lichens. Jess will explain the unexpected links between moss and climate, and what they can tell us about our environment. Stella will introduce you to the 'phyllosphere,' where her talk on epiphyllous liverworts will be sure to excite you into the microscopic world! Kacey will bring you into the vast world of lichens, how they can be utilised (in our world), and some of the main features used for identification.

Drawing Competition.

Wednesday 9th of November 2022, 05:20 PM (2 months from now)

Contact: Gretchen Brownstein | brownsteing@landcareresearch.co.nz

Come along to see botanical artwork from our drawing competition. Entries close August 1st. There will be an art auction, so come prepared! Contact Gretchen Brownstein brownsteingATlandcareresearch.co.nz and Sharon Jones sharon.jones388ATgmail.com

Silver Peaks Possum Hut/Green Ridge circuit.

Saturday 19th of November 2022, 09:00 AM (3 months from now)

Contact: Robyn Bridges | 021 235 8997

It’s going to be botanising on the hoof so to speak as we follow Gold Miners Direct from Steep Hill Road down to the north branch of the Waikouaiti River, then swing left following the river to Possum Hut (now a relic). Climbing up a steepish spur from the hut, we will connect with the Green Hut/Pulpit Rock track which will lead us back to the cars. It’s a good track, quite steep in places both downwards and upwards, but only for short bursts. The vegetation is quite modified comprising of regenerating coastal bush.

Good footwear and appropriate clothing needed as the Silver Peaks is exposed. About a 4 hour trip. Contact Robyn Bridges 021 235 8997. If raining on Saturday we will go on Sunday 20th Nov.