N.Z. Plant Seed In Demand Overseas

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30125, 8 May 1963, Page 22

N.Z. Plant Seed In Demand Overseas

Plants Like the hooksedges, the bane of trampers because of the uncomfortable barbs of their seeds, and the native sow-thistles. are not among the most well-loved of New Zealand species: but seeds of these and others have been specially requested from the Botany Division. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, by overseas scientists. . Mrs M. J. A. Bulfin. who runs the division's seed service, has just completed her main annual seed-gathering expedition. At one time, on! such expeditions, she collected all the kinds of seeds, ■which she thought might be I needed, but nowadays she I collects only for specific re-| quests—noting, however, the localities where other seed mar be found if required. The hooksedges (Uncinia species) are needed by Cambridge University, England, for teaching purposes: the native sow-thistles iSonchus grandifolius and S. littoralis* are wanted by an Egyptian scientist who is working on thistles in general. For S. grandifol.us, Mrs Bulfin had to call in the aid of the Department of Agriculture, as the plant is restricted to the Chatham Islands. The other, which grows on rocks around the coast, is proving equally elusive, as although it has been reported from the South Island Mrs Bulfin has been unable to locate it here. She would appreciate any information as to where it may be found in this island, even though she has recently received some from Wellington. Another recent request was for 251 b of kanaka seed •Cory nocarpus laevigata), required by an American lab-

oratory for chemical analy sis in connexion with a study of a North American relative. Mrs Bulfin's first collection of 301 b of fresh seed —made on the Kaikoura coast because there are only scattered plants south of that area—yielded only 101 b when dried, so more had to be gathered. TTie seed must be sent by air-mail as it goes mouldy quickly. Another consignment to be sent by air-mail is a quantity of seed from the black beech (Nothofagus truncata) for the Kew Gardens. London, where it is needed to enlarge the gardens’ collection of southern beeches. Beech seed has to be sent by air because it loses its viability quickly. Several requests have been lately, including one ! from Russia, for seeds of the i poroporos. Sola num avicul|are and S. laciniatum. Mrs ' Bulfin thinks they could be ! needed in connexion with research into potatoes or tomai toes, which also belong to the ' Solanaceae. Plants much in demand from all over the world are ithe New Zealand alpines and ! sub-alpines, which are valued ; for their horticultural possi- , bilities as well as scientific I interest. Unfortunately, the ‘ seeds are mostly difficult to . germinate, so that relatively ; large quantities have to be j collected. J Other New Zealand plants | are also poor germinators, 1 but in some cases ways have ■ been found of improving ! their performance. Mrs Bulj fin has found, for example. ■ that with the kowhai almost 100 per cent, germination can ! be achieved by chipping the j seed-coat opposite the root 'end.