SEARCH FOR RARE NATIVE PLANT

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26123, 27 May 1950, Page 8

SEARCH FOR RARE NATIVE PLANT

BOTANISTS’ QUEST NOT SUCCESSFUL (New Zealand Press Association) PALMERSTON NORTH, May 26. A recent quest in the country inland from Taihape for a specimen of the rare native plant known as logania, was unsuccessful. The search, which was made by Messrs N. Elder (Havelock North), A. P. Druce (Botany Division), and R. M. Greenwood (Plant Research Division, Palmerston North), was incidental to a botanical survey being undertaken in the Kaimanawa country. Logania is described by Mr Elder as a “queer little thing, not very grand to look at.” It has been seen only once in New Zealand and that was 103 years ago. It was recorded by the great explorer-missionary and botanist, Colenso. A specimen of Logania, carefully preserved, is held in New Zealand. In their quest the men tried to pick up the old Maori routes followed by Colenso. They did find one and have cause to believe the original logania was found by Bishop Colenso in a patch of country about a quarter of a mile square near this track. However, further evidence of the plant has still to be found. The main purpose of the recent tramp to the Kaimanawa country was to carry out a botanical survey. One of the most interesting features of this survey has been the examination of an extraordinary stand of native cedar. The block is about 12 miles square but is disguised by a fringe of rimu and matai trees. It is near the Main Trunk and about 12 to 15 miles from Taihape as the crow flies.