Green And Whites Predominate At This Early Stage Of Spring Growth

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 15057, 18 August 1949, Page 5

Green And Whites Predominate At This Early Stage Of Spring Growth

Flowers Of The Forest

Slowy the barrenness of the last month or more is beginning to fill out with an increasing whiteness of Manuka (Leptospermum - Scoparium). Equally pale sprays of the Bush-Lawyer or N.Z. Bramble (Rubus-Australis) —so beloved in berry by the birds have shown themselves since mid-July, which is quite early. The more brilliant, tinted Kowhai (Sophora-Micro-phylla) is just opening its golden blooms to draw the attentions of the waiting Tui. This songster has long been forced to be content with the ever-blooming Puriri (VitexLucens) still as flowery as ever despite winter's cold and wet, and the introduced Gum trees. To our loss Kowhai does not decorate the actual bush for a few miles around Tauranga. This is rather strange considering its strong and easy growth in local gardens, and raises the possibility that it may have been killed out by the heavy falls of pumice dust on the surrounding area over a vast period of time. Though its relative the Kaka's Beak—always called Red Kowhai (Clianthus-Puniceus) has been in btoom since before midwinter, it too is showing more freely with spring's urge, and many a garden (for it is not a wild plant locally either) is the brighter for its flaming red branches of "bills." Rare Plant Another fine plant only -showing up in gardens locally is the brilliant Purple Koromiko (Veronica or Hcbe-Spcciosa) which has supplanted the wild White Koromiko, now at the end of its season. Rare like the former as a wild plant, its beauty has spread it freely in gardens to secure its survival further afield. Far up in the hill bush Ihc lovely ! white Perching Daisy or Kchurangi (Scnccio - Kirkii) is splashing forest's green with snowy patches visible from afar. The fact that it grows perched in some lofty tree crotch, and from its huge white daisy flowers, it is often mistaken for a tuft of Clematis. This is easily one of cur finest flowers, and well worthy of cultivation, at it will grow as well on the ground as in trees, : if only the soil is good. As little tufts of the giant white Clematis or Pua-wananga (Clematis - Inclivisa) with which it is so often confused, are begining to make a showing now too in warm spots, the confusion is quite excusable for, at a distance, the resemblance is perfect and the Clematis far the better known plant. Humble, little white-flowered Native Daphnes (Pimelia-Prostrata and Pimelia-Virgata), the first a sprawler and the second an erect bush, still continue their almost year-round blocm but with fresh impetus in the drier scrub. The native variety scarcely differs from garden Daphne, save in size and want of perfume. They are seen together with increasing quantities of that deliciously scented —if inconspicuous—sprawling Heath (Leu-copogon-Fraseri) on all open ground and bank-sides. Heath In Bloom A taller bushy relative of the latter (Leuccpogon - Fasciculatus), with smaller less scented bells, a myriad of tiny trailing catkins smothering its manuka-like growth of branches, is now appearing plentifully, too, in the scrub. Its prickly growth gains it the name (with others) of Mingi-Mingi, causing it frequently, too. to be mistaken for Manuka when not in flower, but it is a true Heath, and no relation. With it one may often find another little heath in bloom just now. A stiff little bush with smell round leathery dull green leaves —almcst black —and little sprays of white Heath bells along its branchlets. It is often called Snowberry (Gaul-theria-Antipoda) though properly that name belongs to another. Patches of the pretty .little Green Hoods or Spider-Orchids (Pterostylis) still deck many a mossy bank under bush or scrub; their soft lush green growth ( which scarcely differs in tint between flower and leaf), revelling in the plentiful moisture. Too soon they will pass away though, under press of increasing heat and dryness. Where this is earliest felt on banks and warm slopes, one of our most fragrant shrubs (despite which it is often rewarded with the name of Pig Bush) Hange-Hange (Geniostoma - Liqustrifolium) is opening out the first of its tiny green star-like blooms. As time goes on these simply smother the branchlets below the pale green leaves; and fitl the whole air around with a rich spicy perfume. Favoured As Gardan Shrub Another, if less conspicuous greenish flower but almost perpetual bloomer save for winter's months— Tutu (Ccriaria-Arborea) has just begun to push out its graceful greenish yellow or greenish red catkins too, but not alone. Towards the end of the month some of the waxy cream flowers of the Karaka (Corynocarpus-Laevigata) will be appearing in warm spots, pretty in their massive sprays against the deep shining green of the leaves, though far inferior to the more graceful feathery and perfumed sprays rising above the broad grey foliage of Rangiora (BrachyglottisRepanda). The latter is greatly in favour as a garden shrub, for a waving mass of its creamy white plumes makes a very pretty sight indeed. Here and there in the high hill bush a graceful little tree with trefcil leaves and strong lemon odour when rubbed, is also putting out loose sprays of its dull yellowishgreen star-like flowers, and though little to look at and almost unnoticeable, it gains interest as a close relative of the lovely Boronias

RARE AND FRAGRANT BLOOMS TO BE FOUND IN TAURANGA DISTRICT (By GkM.H.) Spring hi now commencing to make a shew in the bush. An unusually mild winter has brought many native shrubs and plants into (lower much earlier than usual. To find them however, one needs- to b.e something of a nature lover and to be prepared to leave the highways, and even the by-ways, to search them out from their hiding place among the green foliage. Green and whites, it. will be seen from the plants detailed below predominate at this early season while the sun's heat is yet weakest though not without some few splashes of colour.

of gardens and the Orange. Usually it is called Lemon Bush or Wharangi (Melicope-Ternata). The well-known Mahoe or Whitey Wood has a less known relative in bloom t this month too, which for want of a better name may be called Coast 'Mahoe (Hymenanthera-Novae Zelandiae). It bears the same mass of tiny greenish flowers along its branchlets, only wanting the delicious scent. Locally it is something of a rarity, though scrambling freely over the rocks and cliffs of Blowhole Rock, Mount Maunganui. Least Noticeable The Karamus (Coprosma), heavily loaded though they are with their dingy green balls of flowers, are perhaps the least noticeable of all in flower at this season —wanting both colour and scent. However the fine foliage of the Taupata (Co-prosma-Retusa) and to a less extent of the common Karamu (CoprosmaRobusta) are some compensation, and later both give a fine display with their orange berries. To add to the prevailing greens and whites there arc still a few orange bells showing on that pretty little bush shrub the Native Gloxinia or Matata (RhabdotharnnusSolandri). There are still too a few tufts of scarlet bloom on the Kermadec Pohutukawa (Mctrosidercs Villosa or Polymorpha) which though not strictly a native tree is so like its larger namesake as to raise thoughts of "early Pohutukawa" and so merits mention. Among the humbler and less noticed, little specks of yellow colour still persist on the cliff, haunting and ragwort-like, New Zealand Groundsel (Senecio-Lautus). Abnormal seasons often bring abnormal flowering, so it is not surprising to find a few tiny fragrant yellowish flowers opening along the wiry branchlets of the Shore Ribbon wood (Plagianthus-Divaricatus). This is an abundant brownish twiggy little bush of the swampy foreshore, with thread-like leaves and stems of leathery toughness, which usually flowers in September. Being one of the most fragrant despite its inconspicuousness, it is truly welcome, if unseasonable.. Another early showing is of the almost black, purple and fragrant bells cf the Karo (PittosporumCrassifolium) so much used as a hedge plant, though growing wild at Mount Maunganui as well.