Plants of Ambury Regional Park Manukau Harbour, Auckland

Plants of Ambury Regional Park Manukau Harbour, Auckland 

Mike Wilcox 

Introduction 

Ambury Park is part of the network of Auckland’s 

regional parks. It is located in Manukau City beside the 

Manukau Harbour in the suburb of Mangere Bridge. 

The total area of Ambury Park is 134 ha, comprising 

predominantly farm pastureland, and with a narrow 

coastal fringe of salt marsh vegetation. It includes land 

leased to the Ambury Park Centre for Riding Therapy 

and the Mangere Pony Club. It is a windy, exposed 

place and has several distinctive vegetation types. 

Figure 1. Aerial view of Ambury Regional Park 

(Photo: Alastair Jamieson) 

Farm pastureland 

Most of Ambury Park is grass pasture used for grazing 

sheep and cattle, and horses. Birds such as the South 

Island pied oystercatcher use these pastures for 

roosting, and there is a big population of pukeko which 

also feed in the pastures. The land has been in 

pasture for over 100 years, from the time it was the 

property of the Ambury Milk Company. It became a 

regional park in 1975. 

The pastures at Ambury Park are variously dominated 

by rough-stalked meadow grass (Poa trivialis), annual 

poa (Poa annua), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), 

browntop (Agrostis capillaris), Kikuyu grass 

(Pennisetum clandestinum) and crested dogstail 

(Cynosurus cristatus) together with a varied suite of 

clover species, including white clover (Trifolium 

repens), sub clover (Trifolium subterraneum) and 

suckling clover (Trifolium dubium). Kikuyu grass is 

mainly found in the rough pasture of the northern 

coastal fringe, commonly accompanied by coarse, 

unpalatable tufts of ratstail (Sprobolus africanus). 

Annual grasses such as sweet vernal (Anthoxanthum 

odoratum), shivery grass (Briza minor), soft brome 

(Bromus hordeaceus) and vulpia hair grass (Vulpia 

myuros var. megalura) make a comparatively brief 

appearance in spring and early summer. Other pasture 

herbs here are lawn daisy (Bellis perennis), mouse-ear 

chickweed (Cerastium fontanum), thyme-leaved 

speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia), creeping mallow 

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(Modiola caroliniana), narrow-leaved plantain 

(Plantago lanceolata), scotch thistle (Cirsium vulgare), 

broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius), clustered 

dock (Rumex conglomeratus), slender winged thistle 

(Carduus pycnocephalus), pale flax (Linum bienne), 

creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens), hairy 

buttercup (Ranunculus sardous), and bulbous 

buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus). 

On drier, more infertile sites with thinner soil, the 

dominant grasses are danthonia (Rytidosperma 

racemosum), meadow rice grass (Microlaena 

stipoides), ratstail (Sporobolus africanus), annual 

ryegrass (Lolium rigidum), and much more locally, 

wheatgrass (Elymus rectisetus) and bay grass 

(Eragrostis brownii). The clovers are represented by 

clustered clover (Trifolium glomeratum), reversed 

clover (Trifolium resupinatum), and sea clover 

(Trifolium squamosum). Damp, saline fringes of the 

pasture are often dominated by the introduced 

drooping sedge (Carex divisa), which is very 

conspicuous in flower in September and October, and 

covers large areas in pure stands. It is palatable, and 

grazed by sheep, especially in autumn and winter. 

Figure 2. Pasture Scene in Ambury Park 

Herbs associated with the enriched soil of stockyards 

are stinging nettle (Urtica urens), hedge mustard 

(Sisymbrium officinale), inkweed (Phytolacca 

octandra), nettle-leaved fathen (Chenopodium 

murale), purple amaranth (Amaranthus lividus), 

stinking mayweed (Anthemis cotula), hemlock (Conium 

maculatum), and French mallow (Malva nicaeensis), 

the latter very unpalatable to stock and forming some 

extensive colonies. 

Flora of road verges 

The gravelly edges of roads support a number of 

prostrate or decumbent plants, some typical species 

being Cape crassula (Crassula decumbens), native 

stonecrop (Crassula sieberiana), soldier’s button 

(Cotula australis), parsley piert (Aphanes inexpectata),

Onehunga weed (Soliva sessilis), annual mouse-ear 

chickweed (Cerastium glomeratum), pearlwort (Sagina 

apetala), allseed (Polycarpon tetraphyllum), sand 

spurrey, (Spergularia rubra), catchfly (Silene vulgaris), 

field speedwell (Veronica arvensis), scrambling 

speedwell (Veronica persica), creeping mallow 

(Modiola caroliniana), field madder (Sherardia 

arvensis), scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), 

annual poa (Poa annua), narrow-leaved plantain 

(Plantago lanceolata), white clover, spotted bur 

medick (Medicago arabica), bur medick (Medicago 

nigra), suckling clover (Trifolium dubium) [ often 

reddish in colour], hairy birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus 

suaveolens), native oxalis (Oxalis exilis), horned oxalis 

(Oxalis corniculata), purple cudweed (Gamochaeta 

coarctata), Japanese cudweed (Euchiton sphaericus), 

and cudweed (Gamochaeta purpurea). Cracks 

between cobblestones at the Visitor Centre have 

Hydrocotyle moschata, Poa annua and Sagina 

procumbens. There is a population of fluellen (Kickxia 

elatine) beside the road entrance from Kiwi Esplanade. 

The terrestrial blue-green alga (Cyanobacteria) Nostoc 

commune, comprising yellowish–brown gelatinous 

colonies, can be found amongst the vegetation on 

damp ground. 

Exotic trees 

The farmland in the park proper is bare of trees, but 

on the land leased to the Ambury Park Centre for 

Riding Therapy and the Mangere Pony club there are 

some tall gum trees (Eucalyptus botryoides, E. 

bicostata, and a lone E. globulus), two macrocarpa 

trees (Cupressus macrocarpa), a small belt of 

lawsoniana (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana), some radiata 

pine (Pinus radiata), pin oak (Quercus palustris), claret 

ash (Fraxinus angustifolia subsp. oxycarpa ‘Raywood’, 

and a few hybrid poplars (Populus Xcanadensis). At 

the Park headquarters are some specimens of exotic 

trees, including avocado (Persea americana), Indian 

bead tree (Melia azedarach, flaky juniper (Juniperus 

squamata), Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis), 

brushbox (Lophostemon confertus), Norfolk Island 

hibiscus (Lagunaria patersonia), and white bottlebrush 

(Callistemon salignus). 

Figure 3. A road verge 

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Native copses 

A number of shelter belts and copses of native trees 

and shrubs were established in 1980 by the ARC 

landscape team, augmented by public participation on 

Arbor Day. Most of these were subsequently fenced off 

from grazing, though some are used as a shelter for 

sheep during the spring lambing season. Pukekos use 

the copses in spring for nesting. 

Figure 4. A native copse 

The dominant species in the copses, which are now 8- 

10 m tall, are taupata (Coprosma repens), karo 

(Pittosporum crassifolium), houpara (Pseudopanax 

lessonii), broadleaf (Griselinia littoralis), pohutukawa 

(Metrosideros excelsa), ngaio (Myoporum laetum), 

cabbage tree (Cordyline australis), and manuka 

(Leptospermum scoparium). Australian ngaio 

(Myoporum insulare) has also been planted in the 

copses and has grown well. Taupata and karo are 

notable in being the only species to have regenerated 

prolifically from self-sown seedlings on the margins 

and in gaps. In one copse there has also been some 

localised seedling regeneration of wharangi, and 

mapou has occasionally set seedlings. Although not 

native to coastal Auckland, broadleaf has grown 

particularly well. Other species present are lacebark 

(Hoheria populnea), lemonwood (Pittosporum 

eugenioides), kohuhu (Pittosporum tenuifolium), 

akeake (Dodonaea viscosa), karaka (Corynocarpus 

laevigata), kanuka (Kunzea ericoides), kowhai 

(Sophora microphylla), tawapou (Pouteria costata), 

coastal twiggy coprosma (Coprosma crassifolia), puriri 

(Vitex lucens) and Chatham Island tree daisy (Olearia 

traversii). 

There has been no natural development of a native 

understorey or herb and fern ground cover, and the 

copses still have an artificial “planted” look. Some 

plants favouring the copses are veld grass (Ehrharta 

erecta), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata), ripgut brome 

(Bromus diandrus), praire grass (Bromus willdenowii), 

meadow rice grass (Microlaena stipoides), grey sedge 

(Carex divulsa), smilax (Asparagus asparagoides), cutleaved 

cranesbill (Geranium dissectum) and doves-foot 

cranesbill (Geranium molle), storksbill (Erodium

cicutarium), Mercury Bay weed (Dichondra repens), 

puha (Sonchus oleraceus), Indian strawberry 

(Duchesnea indica), spreading hedge parsley (Torilis 

arvensis), and extensively, Italian arum (Arum 

italicum). Open disturbed areas have an abundance of 

ox-tongue (Helminthotheca echioides). 

On 5 May 2004 the Chinese Conservation Education 

Trust planted 1700 native trees, mostly in a newly 

fenced off site in the southern wetland area. Species 

were kowhai, mapou, kanuka, karamu, koromiko, 

titoki, lacebark, akeake, kahikatea, karaka, whau, and 

also three species not otherwise recorded in copses at 

Ambury Park – pukatea (Laurelia novae-zelandiae), 

taraire (Beilschmiedia tarairi), and ribbonwood 

(Plagianthus regius) – but their survival seems 

doubtful in such a windy, exposed situation. 

The only native tree species which seems fully natural 

in Ambury Park is karo, represented by a few trees 

near the coast, including two on a rocky islet, amongst 

Phormium tenax. There are two large pohutukawa, 

and some old, gnarled taupata, but it is thought these 

were planted many years ago (the taupata are in 

rows!). 

Freshwater wetlands 

There are two ponds, which usually dry out completely 

in summer, and other small, damp, low-lying areas, 

the dominant tall plant in which is hollow rush (Juncus 

australis). Another tall native rush – the shiny green 

Juncus edgariae – is also present. Other plants of 

these damp places are penny royal (Mentha pulegium) 

which is abundant and noticeable by its strong minty 

smell, milfoil (Myriophyllum propinquum), starwort 

(Callitriche stagnalis), purple loosestrife (Lythrum 

hyssopifolia), toad rush (Juncus bufonius), creeping 

buttercup (Ranuculus repens), celery-leaved buttercup 

(Ranunculus sceleratus), clustered dock (Rumex 

conglomeratus), and marsh bedstraw (Galium 

palustre). The ponds sometimes have marginal 

colonies of watercress (Nasturtium officinale), dense 

swards of water paspalum (Paspalum distichum), and 

fringes of semi-aquatic Bermuda grass (Cynodon 

dactylon) and creeping bent (Agrostis stolonifera). 

Water speedwell (Veronica anagallis-aquatica), is 

conspicuous in October with its attractive racemes of 

mauve flowers. Duckweed (Lemna minor) may be 

found on the surface of shallow ponds and slowflowing 

ditches, and Isolepis sepulcralis at the edges of 

ditches. 

Mangroves, salt meadows and basaltic lava 

flows 

Mangroves (Avicennia marina subsp. australasica) 

occur only sporadically in Ambury Park in sheltered, 

muddy bays in between the black basaltic lava rocks. 

They are much more abundant in other parts of the 

Manukau Harbour (Chapman & Ronaldson 1958). 

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Salt meadows are an attractive feature of the Ambury 

Park foreshore. The plant covering the largest area in 

the salt marshes is New Zealand glasswort 

(Sarcocornia quinqueflora). This succulent occurs in 

distinctive clonal patches, commonly glaucous, bright 

green, or purplish. Also very common are sea primrose 

or maakoako (Samolus repens), with attractive white 

flowers in January, and sea plantain (Plantago 

coronopus) which forms extensive colonies of rosettes. 

Orache (Atriplex prostrata) is an introduced weed of 

prostrate habit from Eurasia and N. Africa. It is 

common in New Zealand near the coast on shingle 

banks, fringing mud flats, and occurs all along the 

fringes of Kiwi Esplanade and commonly all around the 

Manukau Harbour shores. Less common are remuremu 

(Selliera radicans), slender clubrush (Isolepis cernua), 

sea spurrey (Spergularia media), sea blite (Suaeda 

novae-zelandiae), and bachelor’s button (Cotula 

coronopifolia). The dominant monocotyledons are 

shore tussock or needle tussock (Austrostipa stipoides) 

and salt-marsh rush (Juncus kraussii var. australiensis) 

and salt marsh carex. Oioi (Apodasmia similis) occurs 

only sporadically. 

Figure 5. Stand of hollow rush (Juncus australis) 

Salt grass (Puccinellia stricta) can be found growing 

amongst glasswort during the spring and summer. It 

seems to be perennial and is often quite conspicuous, 

growing on hummocks of shell with a peaty soil, with 

glasswort and sea plantain. Ambury Park is the main 

site in Auckland for this grass. It also occurs in the 

Onehunga-Te Papapa coastal fringe, but not 

apparently at all in the Waitemata Harbour. 

The introduced annual beard grass (Polypogon 

monspeliensis), barley grass (Critesion murinum) and 

the barb grasses (Parapholis recurva and P. strigosa) 

are conspicuous at the ecotone between pasture and 

salt marsh. On one site adjoining a freshwater outlet 

off Kiwi Esplanade are colonies of arrow-grass 

(Triglochin striata), but it has not been seen in Ambury 

Park itself.

Figure 6. Mangroves and salt meadow 

Figure 7: Salt grass (Puccinellia stricta) growing 

amongst glasswort (Sarcocornia quinqueflora) 

A man-made rock wall amongst mangroves supports 

an impressive population of the native succulent 

Crassula sieberiana, together with a robust and 

luxuriant form of the foliose lichen Ramalina celastri. 

Figure 8. The native stonecrop (Crassula sieberiana) 

is commonly found on sea walls and gravelly road 

verges 

A shrub which is well established at Ambury Park on 

the rocky sea shore is African boxthorn (Lycium 

ferocissimum). It is a spiny evergreen shrub from 

South Africa, and thrives on coastal sites. Other 

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introduced shrubs here are gorse (Ulex europaeus), 

and occasionally, thornapple or apple of Sodom 

(Solanum linnaeanum). Growing amongst rocks in 

these scrubby areas is pohuehue (Muehlenbeckia 

axillaris) and smilax. A small rocky islet has a patch of 

New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides), and 

there are just a few plants of native celery (Apium 

prostratum) growing on islets amongst lava rocks. 

Shore ribbonwood (Plagianthus divaricatus) is very 

rare in Ambury Park. 

Figure 9. Sea celery (Apium prostratum) 

Figure 10. New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia 

tetragonioides) 

Algae 

A number of algae can be found on the black lava 

rocks in the mid and upper tidal zone. A short 

brownish-coloured alga growing colonially in short, 

soft clumps is Caloglossa leprieurii. This seaweed can 

also be found on the pneumatophores of mangroves. 

Green algae of this zone are the filamentous 

Rhizoclonium implexum, growing in greenish wefts 

that may be bleached by the sun, a type of sea 

lettuce, Monostroma latissimum, and Enteromorpha 

compressa. The red seaweed Gracilaria chilensis is 

abundant as a free-living seaweed on muddy 

backwaters, and washes up on mass.

Lichens and bryophytes 

Lecanora subcoarctata is a crustose lichen found on 

coastal rocks near high tide limit. It forms grey-white 

patches that are areolate-cracked. Below this and 

often under water at high tide, the dominant lichen is 

the very common yellow species, Xanthoria ligulata – 

one of the most prominent features of the rocky shore, 

and inland from it, grey lichens. Grey lichens on the 

reefs and rock walls which are a feature of Ambury 

Park and the Mangere Bridge area are Canoparmelia 

cineracens, Rimelia reticulata, Dirinaria applanata, 

Heterodermia speciosa, Flavoparmelia soredians, 

Physcia poncinsii and the powdery Lepraria incana. 

Yellow lichens found on the bark of trees and on twigs 

are Xanthoria parietina and Teloschistes 

chrysophthalmus, and perhaps the commonest grey 

lichen on the bark of trees such as pohutukawa is 

Heterodermia speciosa. 

Common mosses on and around protruding boulders in 

the pastures are Hypnum cupressiforme, Triquetrella 

papillata, Campylopus clavatus, Tortula princeps, and 

Bryum campylothecium, and white feather moss 

(Brachythecium albicans), Thuidium furfurosum and 

Kindbergia praelonga can be found in damp pasture. 

Figure 11. The yellow lichen Xanthoria ligulata 

Accompanying the mosses are several small annual 

flowering plants, also found on dry road edges, namely 

vulpia hair grass (Vulpia bromoides), annual poa (Poa 

annua), Cape crassula (Crassula decumbens), native 

stonecrop (Crassula sieberiana), creeping oxalis (Oxalis 

exilis), pearlwort (Sagina apetala), allseed (Polycarpon 

tetraphyllum), and also slender bedstraw (Galium 

divaricatum). Nearby Mangere Mountain has a similar 

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saxicolous moss flora (Beever 1983). Tortula muralis, 

Bryum argenteum and Grimmia pulvinata can be found 

on exposed stone walls. 

Figure 12. The moss Grimmia pulvinata on a stone 

wall 

Mountain moss (Racomitrium lanuginosum) used to be 

present on the lava flows but it seems to have 

disappeared in recent years. The moss Ceratodon 

purpureus occurs on compact, bare soil on road edges. 

Shaded stone walls support green mats of the moss 

Racopilum convolutaceum and felts of the liverworts 

Frullania solanderiana and Chiloscyphus semiteres. 

Summary and conclusions 

This study of the plants found in Ambury Park has 

brought to light a surprising biodiversity, considering 

there is no natural native bush, the environment is 

highly modified, and the park is heavily stocked with 

sheep. The wild native flora is very restricted, yet 

there are healthy populations of some lesser known 

species such as Crassula sieberiana and Puccinellia 

stricta, and wild plants of two native vegetables, New 

Zealand spinach and native celery. The 24-year-old 

planted native copses usefully demonstrate the 

capabilities of various species to thrive in this windy, 

coastal environment, with Pittosporum crassifolium, 

Myoporum laetum, M. insulare, Coprosma repens and 

Coprosma crassifolia being particularly good 

performers. Ambury Park has a good representation of 

Auckland’s naturalised plants (Esler 1988, 2004), and a 

few unusual or rare ones such as the Australian grass 

Elymus rectisetus and the European herb Kickxia 

elatine. 

References 

Beever, J. E. 1983. The saxicolous mosses of Mangere Mountain. Auckland Botanical Society Newsletter 38(1):15-16. 

Chapman, V. J.; Ronaldson, J. W. 1958: The mangrove and salt-marsh flats of the Auckland Isthmus. Bulletin No. 125, DSIR. 

Esler, A. E. 1988. Naturalisation of plants in urban Auckland. DSIR Publishing, Wellington. 

Esler, A. 2004. Wild plants in Auckland. Auckland University Press, Auckland.

Species List 

(# = wild native; * = wild exotic; § = cultivated native; *§ = cultivated exotic) 

Algae 

Caloglossa leprieurii (Mont.) J.Agardh coastal rocks and mangroves 

Enteromorpha compressa (L.) Nees coastal rocks 

Gracilaria chilensis Bird, McLachlan & Oliveira mud flats 

Monostroma latissimum Wittr. coastal rocks 

Nostoc commune Vaucher damp road margins 

Rhizoclonium implexum (Dillwyn) Kuetz. coastal rocks 

Lichens 

Canoparmelia cinerascens (Lynge) Elix & Hale coastal rocks 

Chrysothrix candelaris (L.) Laundon on bark, a green “paint” 

Cladonia ramulosa (With.) J.R.Laundon inside old macrocarpa stumps 

Dirinaria applanata (Feé) Awasthi bark of trees 

Flavoparmelia soredians (Nyl.) Hale coastal rocks 

Heterodermia speciosa (Wulfen) Trevis on scoria walls 

Lecanora subcoarctata (C. Knight) Hertel rocks and walls 

Lepraria incarna (L.) Ach. powdery grey-green crust on walls 

Parmotrema chinense (Osbeck) Hale & Ahti rock walls 

Physcia poncinsii Hue rock walls 

Ramalina celastri (Spreng.) Krog & Swinscow on tree branches 

Rimelia reticulata (Taylor) Hale & A.Fletcher stone walls 

Teloschistes chrysophthalmus (L.) Th.Fr. on kanuka twigs 

Usnea rubicunda Stirton stone wall 

Xanthoparmelia scabrosa (Taylor) Hale on tar seal 

Xanthoria ligulata (Körber) P.James yellow “paint” on coastal rocks 

Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th.Fr. on tree trunks, palings and bark 

Liverworts 

Chiloscyphus semiteres (Lehm.) Lehm. & Lindenb. on damp rock wall, Park HQ 

Frullania solanderiana Col. rock wall, Centre for Riding 

Therapy 

Mosses 

Brachythecium albicans (Hedw.) Schimp. pasture, mangere pony club area 

Bryum argenteum Hedw. top of stone wall, Park HQ. 

Bryum campylothecium Tayl. on stone walls and rock outcrops 

Bryum capillare Hedw. 

Campylopus clavatus (R.Br.) Wils. rock outcrops 

Campylopus introflexus (Hedw.) Brid. top of stone wall, Park HQ; in old 

hollow macrocarpa stumps. 

Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. compact bare soil on road edges 

Fissidens taxifolius Hedw. patches on shaded ground, Park 

HQ 

Grimmia pulvinata (Hedw.) Sm. ex Sm. & Sowerby stone walls 

Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. var. cupressiforme base of rocky outcrops 

Kindbergia praelonga (Hedw.) Ochyra grassy areas near Park HQ 

Racopilum convolutaceum (C. Muell.) Reichdt. shaded rock outcrops and walls 

Thuidium furfurosum (Hook.f. & Wils.) Reichdt. grassy area 

Tortula muralis Hedw stone walls 

Tortula papillosa Wils. 

Tortula princeps De Not. rocky outcrops 

Triquetrella papillata (Hook.f. & Wils.) Broth. on rock outcrops 

Ferns 

§ Dicksonia squarrosa (Forst.f.) Swartz common punga 

# Hypolepis distans Hook. 

* Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) Presl ladder fern, fishbone fern 

# Pteris tremula R. Br. shaking brake, turawera 

# Pyrrosia eleagnifolia (Bory) Hovenkamp leather-leaf fern 

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Conifers 

§ Agathis australis (D.Don) Lindley kauri 

*§ Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (A.Murr.) Parl. lawsoniana, Port Orford cedar, 

Lawson's cypress 

*§ Cryptomeria japonica (L.f.) D.Don Japanese cedar, sugi 

*§ Cupressus macrocarpa Hartw. ex Gord. macrocarpa, Monterey cypress 

§ Dacrycarpus dacrydioides (A.Rich.) de Laub. kahikatea, white pine 

*§ Juniperus chinensis L. Chinese juniper (variegated 

cultivar) 

*§ Juniperus squamata Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don flaky juniper 

*§ Pinus radiata D.Don Monterey pine, radiata pine 

§ Podocarpus totara G. Benn. ex D.Don var. totara totara 

Dicot trees, shrubs and climbers 

*§ Acmena smithii (Poiret) Merr. & Perry lilly pilly 

§ Alectryon excelsus Gaertner titoki 

*Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis Madeira vine or mignonette vine 

*Araujia sericifera Brot. moth plant 

# Avicennia marina subsp. australasica (Walp.) J.Everett mangrove, manawa 

*§ Berberis glaucocarpa Stapf common barberry 

§ Brachyglottis greyi (Hook.f.) Nordenstam Grey's shrub daisy 

*§ Buddleja salviifolia (L.) Lam. sagewood, wild sage 

*§ Callistemon salignus (Smith) Sweet white or willow bottlebrush 

*§ Camellia reticulata Lindley Camellia 

§ Carpodetus serratus J.R. & G.Forst. putaputaweta, marbleleaf 

*§ Casuarina cunninghamiana Miq. common river sheoak 

* Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J.S.Presl camphor tree 

*§ Citrus Xparadisi Macfad. grapefruit 

§ Coprosma crassifolia Col. coastal twiggy coprosma 

§ Coprosma Xcunninghamii Hook.f. (C. robusta x C. propinqua) hybrid coprosma 

§ Coprosma Xkirkii Cheesem. (C. repens x C. acerosa) hybrid coprosma 

§ Coprosma repens A.Rich. taupata 

§ Coprosma robusta Raoul karamu 

§ Corokia buddleioides A.Cunn. korokia 

§ Corokia Xvirgata Turrill (C. buddleioides x C. cotoneaster) hybrid korokia 

§ Corynocarpus laevigatus J. R.& G.Forst. karaka 

§ Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacq. subsp. viscosa akeake 

§ Entelea arborescens R.Br. whau 

*§ Eucalyptus bicostata Maiden, Blakely & J.Simmonds Victorian blue gum 

*§ Eucalyptus botryoides Sm. southern mahogany, bangalay 

*§ Eucalyptus globulus Labill. blue gum 

*§ Euryops abrotanifolius (L.) DC. Paris daisy 

*§ Ficus benjamina L. weeping fig 

§ Fraxinus angustifolia subsp. oxycarpa (Bieb. ex Willd.) Franco & Caucasian ash, claret ash 

Rocha Afonso cv. 'Raywood' 

§ Griselinia littoralis Raoul broadleaf, papaumu 

§ Hebe parviflora (Vahl) Ckn. & Allan hebe 

§ Hebe stricta (Benth.) L.B.Moore common koromiko 

* Hedera helix L. ivy 

*§ Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. hibiscus 

§ Hoheria populnea A. Cunn. lacebark, houhere 

* Impatiens sodenii Engl. shrub balsam 

* Jasminum polyanthum Franchet jasmine 

*§ Juglans regia L. European walnut 

§ Kunzea ericoides (A.Rich.) J.Thompson Kanuka 

*§ Lagunaria patersonia (Andrews) G.Don subsp. patersonia Norfolk Island hibiscus 

§ Laurelia novae-zelandiae A.Cunn. pukatea 

*§ Lavandula dentata L. toothed lavender 

§ Leptospermum scoparium J.R. & G.Forst. tea tree, manuka 

* Ligustrum sinense Lour. Chinese privet 

* Lonicera japonica Thunb. Japanese honeysuckle 

131

*§ Lophostemon confertus (R.Br.) P.G. Wilson & J.T.Waterhouse brushbox 

* Lycium ferocissimum Miers African boxthorn 

§ Macropiper excelsum (Forst.f.) Miq. subsp. excelsum kawakawa 

*§ Melia azedarach L. Persian lilac 

§ Melicope ternata J.R. & G.Forst. wharangi 

§ Melicytus ramiflorus J.R. & G.Forst. subsp. ramiflorus mahoe, whiteywood 

§ Metrosideros excelsa Sol. Ex Gaertner pohutukawa 

# Muehlenbeckia complexa (A.Cunn.) Meissn. wire vine, beach pohuehue 

*§ Myoporum insulare R.Br. Australian ngaio 

§ Myoporum laetum Forst.f. ngaio 

§ Myrsine australis (A. Rich.) Allan mapou 

§ Olearia paniculata (J.R. & G.Forst.) Druce akiraho 

§ Olearia traversii (F.Muell.) Hook.f. akeake, Chatham Is. tree daisy 

*§ Paraserianthes lophantha (Willd.) Nielsen subsp. lophantha brush wattle, crested wattle, 

stinkbean 

*§ Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Steud hairy paulownia, princess tree 

*§ Persea americana Mill. avocado 

§ Pittosporum colensoi Hook.f. montane kohuhu 

§ Pittosporum crassifolium Banks & Sol. ex A.Cunn. karo (wild and cult.) 

§ Pittosporum eugenioides A.Cunn. lemonwood, tarata 

§ Pittosporum tenuifolium Sol. ex Gaertner kohuhu 

§ Pittosporum umbellatum Banks & Sol. ex Gaertner haekaro 

# Plagianthus divaricatus J.R & G.Forst. shore ribbonwood 

*§ Populus Xcanadensis Moench hybrid poplar (cultivar of Populus 

nigra x Populus deltoides) 

§Pouteria costata (Endl.) Baehni tawapou 

* Prunus persica (L.) Batsch peach 

§ Pseudopanax crassifolius (Sol. ex A.Cunn.) C. Koch lancewood 

§ Pseudopanax lessonii (DC.) C. Koch houpara, coastal five-finger 

§ Quercus palustris Muench. pin oak 

* Rhamnus alaternus L. evergreen buckthorn 

* Rubus fruticosus L. blackberry 

*§ Salix cinerea L. grey willow, sallow 

*§ Salvia sage (red-flowered aromatic shrub) 

*Solanum linnaeanum Hepper & P.M.Jaeger apple of Sodom, devil apple. 

*Solanum mauritianum Scop. woolly nightshade, tobacco weed. 

§Sophora microphylla Ait. kowhai 

*§ Spiraea cantoniensis Lour. spiraea 

* Ulex europaeus L. gorse 

§ Vitex lucens Kirk puriri 

*§ Wisteria sinensis (Sims) Sweet Chinese wisteria 

Dicot herbs 

* Acanthus mollis L. bear's britches 

* Amaranthus lividus L. purple amaranth 

* Anagallis arvensis L. subsp. arvensis var. arvensis scarlet pimpernel 

* Anagallis arvensis subsp. parviflora (Hoffsgg. & Link) Arcang. blue pimpernel 

* Anthemis cotula L. stinking mayweed 

* Aphanes inexpectata Lippert parsley piert 

* Apium nodiflorum (L.) Lagasca water celery 

# Apium prostratum Vent. native celery 

* Arctium minus (Hill.) Bernh. common burdock 

* Arctotheca calendula (L.) Levyns Cape weed 

* Atriplex prostrata DC. orache 

* Bellis perennis L. lawn daisy 

*§ Calendula officinalis L. marigold 

* Callitriche stagnalis Scop. starwort 

* Calystegia sepium (L.) R.Br. pink bindweed 

# Calystegia soldanella (L.) R.Br. shore bindweed 

* Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medikus shepherd's purse 

* Cardamine hirsuta L. bitter cress 

132

* Carduus pycnocephalus L. slender winged thistle 

* Centaurium erythraea Rafn. centaury 

* Cerastium fontanum Baumg. mouse-ear chickweed 

* Cerastium glomeratum Thuill. annual mouse-ear chickweed 

* Chenopodium murale L. nettle-leaved fat-hen 

* Chenopodium pumilio R.Br. clammy goosefoot. 

* Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Californian thistle 

* Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. Scotch thistle 

* Conium maculatum L. hemlock 

* Conyza albida Sprengel broad-leaved fleabane 

* Coronopus didymus (L.) Smith twin cress 

# Cotula australis (Sprengel) Hook.f. soldier’s button 

* Cotula coronopifolia L. bachelor's button 

* Crassula decumbens Thunb. Cape crassula 

# Crassula sieberiana (Schultes & Schultes f.) G.C.Druce native stonecrop 

* Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallr. hawksbeard 

* Datura stramonium L. thornapple, jimpson weed 

* Daucus carota L. wild carrot, Queen Anne’s lace 

* Delairea odorata Lem. (syn. Senecio mikanioides Otto ex Walp.) Cape ivy, German ivy 

# Dichondra repens J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. native Mercury Bay weed 

* Duchesnea indica (Andrews) Focke Indian strawberry 

* Erigeron karvinskianus DC. Mexican daisy 

* Erodium cicutarium (L.) L’Hér. storksbill 

* Euchiton sphaericus (Willd.) Anderb. (syn. Gnaphalium sphaericum Japanese cudweed 

Willd.) 

*§ Euphorbia lathyris L. caper spurge 

* Euphorbia peplus L. milkweed 

*Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum (Miller) Thell. fennel 

* Fumaria capreolata L. rampant fumitory 

* Fumaria muralis Koch scrambling fumitory 

* Galium aparine L. cleavers 

* Galium divaricatum Lam. slender bedstraw 

*Galium palustre L. marsh bedstraw 

* Gamochaeta coarctata (Willd.) Kerguelen (syn.Gnaphalium 

purple cudweed 

coarctatum Willd.) 

* Gamochaeta purpurea (L.) Cabrera cudweed 

*Geranium dissectum L. cut-leaved cranesbill 

* Geranium purpureum Villars small herb robert 

* Geranium molle L. dove’s-foot cranesbill 

# Geranium solanderi Carolin coastal cranesbill 

# Geranium aff. solanderi “coarse hairs” coastal cranesbill 

# Haloragis erecta (Banks ex Murray) Oken subsp. erecta shrubby haloragis, toatoa 

* Helianthus tuberosus L. Jerusalem artichoke 

* Helminthotheca echioides (L.) Holub (syn. Picris echioides L.) ox-tongue 

# Hydrocotyle moschata Forst.f. hydrocotyle 

* Hypochaeris radicata L. catsear 

* Kickxia elatine (L.) Dumort. fluellen 

* Lamium pupureum L. red dead nettle 

* Lapsana communis L. nipplewort 

* Lavatera cretica L. cretan mallow 

*Leontodon taraxicoides (Villars) Mérat hawkbit 

*Linum bienne Miller pale flax 

* Lotus pedunculatus Cav. (syn. Lotus uliginosus Schk.) lotus 

*Lotus suaveolens Pers. hairy birdsfoot trefoil 

*Lythrum hyssopifolia L. hyssop loosestrife 

* Malva nicaeensis All. French mallow 

*Malva parviflora L. mallow 

* Medicago arabica (L.) Hudson spotted bur medick 

* Medicago lupulina L. black medick 

*Medicago nigra (L.) Krocker bur medick 

*Melilotus indicus (L.) All. King Island melilot 

133

*Mentha pulegium L. penny royal 

* Mentha spicata L. spearmint 

* Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. apple mint 

*Modiola caroliniana (L.) G.Don creeping mallow. 

* Myosotis arvensis (L.) Hill field forget-me-not 

# Myriophyllum propinquum Cunn. native milfoil 

* Nasturtium officinale R.Br. (syn. Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (L.) watercress 

Hayek.) 

* Orobanche minor Smith broomrape 

* Osteospermum fruticosum (L.) Norlindh dimorphotheca, sailor-boy daisy 

* Oxalis corniculata L. horned oxalis, wood sorrel 

# Oxalis exilis Cunn. creeping oxalis 

* Oxalis incarnata L. lilac oxalis 

* Oxalis pes-caprae L. Bermuda buttercup 

* Pericallis Xhybrida R.Nordenstam cneraria 

* Plantago coronopus L. buck's horn plantain 

* Plantago lanceolata L. ribwort, narrow-leaved plantain 

* Plantago major L. broad-leaved plantain 

* Phytolacca octandra L. inkweed 

* Polycarpon tetraphyllum (L.) L. allseed 

* Polygonum arenastrum Boreau small-leaved wireweed 

* Polygonum aviculare L. wire-weed 

# Polygonum salicifolium Willd. swamp willow weed 

* Prunella vulgaris L. selfheal 

* Ranunculus bulbosus L. bulbous buttercup 

* Ranunculus muricatus L. spiny buttercup 

* Ranunculus parviflorus L. small-flowered buttercup 

* Ranunculus repens L. creeping buttercup 

* Ranunculus sardous Crantz hairy buttercup 

* Ranunculus sceleratus L. celery-leaved buttercup 

* Raphanus raphanistrum L. subsp. raphanistrum wild radish 

* Rumex conglomeratus Murray clustered dock 

* Rumex crispus L. curled dock 

* Rumex obtusifolius L. broad-leaved dock 

* Rumex pulcher L. fiddle dock 

* Rumex sagittatus Thunb. climbing dock 

* Sagina apetala Ard. pearlwort 

* Sagina procumbens L. procumbent pearlwort 

# Samolus repens (Forst. & Forst.f.) Pers. sea primrose, maakoako 

# Sarcocornia quinqueflora (Bunge ex Ung.-Sternb.) A.J.Scott (syn. New zealand glasswort 

Salicornia australis Sol. ex Benth.) 

# Selliera radicans Cav. remuremu 

* Senecio esleri Webb Esler’s fireweed, hairy legs 

groundsel 

* Senecio jacobaea L. ragwort 

* Senecio skirrodon DC. gravel groundsel 

* Senecio vulgaris L. groundsel 

* Sherardia arvensis L. field madder 

* Silene gallica L. catchfly 

* Sisymbrium officinale L. hedge mustard 

# Solanum americanum Miller small-flowered nightshade 

* Solanum chenopodioides Lam. velvety nightshade 

* Solanum nigrum L. black nightshade 

* Solanum tuberosum L. potato 

* Soliva sessilis Ruíz & Pavón Onehunga weed 

* Sonchus oleraceus L. sow thistle, milk thistle, puha 

* Spergularia media L. sea spurrey 

* Spergularia rubra (L.) J.Presl & C.Presl sand spurrey 

* Stachys arvensis (L.) L. stagger weed, field woundwort 

* Stellaria media (L.) Cirillo common stitchwort, chickweed 

# Suaeda novaezelandiae Allan native seablite 

134

* Symphytum Xuplandicum Nyman Russian comfrey 

* Taraxacum officinale G. Weber dandelion 

# Tetragonia tetragonioides (Pall.) O. Kuntze 

kokihi, New Zealand spinach 

* Torilis arvensis (Hudson) Link spreading hedge-parsley 

* Trifolium dubium Sibth. suckling clover 

* Trifolium glomeratum L. clustered clover 

* Trifolium micranthum Viv. lesser suckling clover 

* Trifolium pratense L. red clover 

* Trifolium repens L. white clover 

* Trifolium resupinatum L. persian clover, reversed clover 

* Trifolium squamosum L. sea clover 

* Trifolium subterraneum L. subterranean clover, sub clover 

* Tropaeolum majus L. garden nasturtium, indian cress 

* Urtica urens L. nettle 

* Verbena bonariensis L. purple-top 

* Veronica anagallis-aquatica L. water speedwell 

* Veronica arvensis L. field speedwell, wall speedwell 

* Veronica persica Poiret scrambling speedwell 

* Veronica serpyllifolia L. thyme-leaved speedwell 

* Vicia sativa L. common vetch 

* Vinca major L. periwinkle 

* Viola odorata L. violet 

* Xanthium spinosum L. clotbur, bathhurst bur 

Monocots 

*§ Agapanthus praecox subsp. orientalis (Hoffmanns.) H.R.Wehrh 

(syn. A. orientalis F.M.Leight.). 

agapanthus 

* Agrostis capillaris L. (syn. Agrostis tenuis Sibth.) browntop 

* Agrostis stolonifera L. creeping bent 

* Aira caryophyllea L. subsp. caryophyllea silvery hair grass 

* Allium triquetrum L. three-cornered garlic, onion weed 

*§ Aloe ciliaris Haw. climbing aloe 

* Anthoxanthum odoratum Lagasca sweet vernal 

# Apodasmia similis (Edgar) B. G. Briggs & L. A. S. Johnson (syn. 

Leptocarpus similis Edgar) 

oioi, jointed wire rush 

*Arum italicum Miller Italian arum 

* Asparagus asparagoides L. (syn. Myrsiphyllum scandens (Thunb.) 

Oberm.) 

florist's smilax 

# Austrostipa stipoides (Hook.f.) Jacobs & Everett (syn. Stipa stipoides shore tussock, needle tussock, 

(Hook.f.) Veldkamp, syn. Stipa teretifolia Steud.) 

coastal immorality grass 

* Briza minor L. shivery grass 

* Bromus diandrus Roth ripgut brome, great brome 

* Bromus hordeaceus L. (syn. Bromus mollis L.) soft brome 

* Bromus lithobius Trin. Chilean brome 

* Bromus willdenowii Kunth praire grass 

* Canna indica L. 

§ Carex comans Berggr. 

Indian shot 

* Carex divisa Huds. drooping sedge 

* Carex divulsa Stokes grey sedge 

# Carex flagellifera Col. 

§ Carex testacea Sol. ex Boott 

trip-me-up 

* Catapodium rigidum (L.) C.E.Hubb. (syn. Desmazeria rigida (L.) 

Tutin). 

fern grass, hard grass 

§ Cordyline australis (Forst.f.) Endl. cabbage tree, ti rakau 

* Cortaderia selloana (Schult.) Asch. & Graeb. pampas grass 

§ Cortaderia splendens Connor coastal toetoe 

* Critesion murinum (L.) Á. Löve subsp. murinum (syn. Hordeum wild barley, wall barley, barley 

murinum L. subsp. murinum). 

grass 

* Crocosmia Xcrocosmiiflora (Nicholson) N.E.Brown Montbretia 

* Cyperus congestus Vahl brown umbrella sedge 

# Cyperus ustulatus A. Rich. giant umbrella sedge, toetoe 

135

* Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. 

upoko-tangatu 

Bermuda grass, couch grass 

* Cynosurus cristatus L. crested dog's tail 

* Dactylis glomerata L. Cocksfoot 

* Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. summer grass, crab grass 

* Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. barnyard grass 

* Ehrharta erecta Lam. veld grass 

* Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. crows foot grass, goose grass 

* Elymus rectisetus (Nees)Á.Löve & Connor wheatgrass 

* Elytrigia pycnantha (Godr.)Á.Löve sea couch 

* Eragrostis brownii (Kunth) Wight bay grass 

# Ficinia nodosa (Rottb.) Goetgh., Muasya & D.A.Simpson (formerly 

Isolepis nodosa (Rottb.) R.Br., Scirpus nodosus and Scirpoides 

nodosa (Rottb.) Soják.) 

knobby clubrush 

* Glyceria declinata Bréb. glaucous sweet grass 

* Holcus lanatus L. Yorkshire fog 

# Isolepis cernua (Vahl) Roem. & Schult. slender club-rush 

# Isolepis sepulcralis Steud. weeping club-rush 

* Juncus articulatus L. jointed rush 

# Juncus australis Hook.f. wiwi, hollow rush 

* Juncus bufonius L. toad rush 

# Juncus edgariae L.A.S. Johnson & K.L.Wilson wiwi, rush 

# Juncus kraussii Hochstr. Var. australiensis (Buchenau) Snogerup 

(formerly Juncus maritimus Lam. var. australiensis Buch.) 

sea rush, salt-marsh rush 

*§ Kniphofia uvaria (L.) Hook.f. red hot poker 

# Lachnagrostis filiformis (G.Forst.) Trin. New Zealand wind grass 

# Lemna minor L. duckweed 

* Lolium multiflorum Lam. Italian ryegrass 

* Lolium perenne L. perennial ryegrass 

* Lolium rigidum Gaudin annual ryegrass 

# Microlaena stipoides (Labill.) R.Br. var. stipoides meadow rice grass, patiti 

*§ Narcissus pseudonarcissus L. daffodil 

* Parapholis incurva (L.) C.E.Hubb. coast barb grass, sickle grass 

* Parapholis strigosa (Dumort.) C.E.Hubb. sea hard grass, slender barb grass 

* Paspalum dilatatum Poir. paspalum 

* Paspalum distichum L. Mercer grass, water couch grass 

*§ Pelargonium Xhortorum L. Bailey zonal pelargonium 

* Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. ex Chiov. Kikuyu grass 

* Phalaris aquatica L. phalaris 

#§ Phormium cookianum subsp. hookeri (Gunn ex Hook.f.) Wardle wharariki 

§ Phormium tenax J.R. & G.Forst. New Zealand flax, harakeke 

* Poa annua L. annual poa 

* Poa trivialis L. rough-stalked meadow grass 

* Polypogon fugax Nees ex Steud. perennial beard grass 

* Polypogon monspeliensis (L.) Desf. annual beard grass 

* Polypogon viridis (Gouan) Breist. water bent 

# Puccinellia stricta (Hook.f.) C.H.Blom salt grass 

* Rytidosperma racemosum (R.Br.) Connor & Edgar danthonia 

* Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub (syn. Festuca elatior L., Festuca 

arundinacea Schreb.) 

tall fescue 

* Setaria gracilis Kunth (syn. Setaria geniculata (Poir.) Kunth). knot-root bristle grass 

* Setaria palmifolia (König) Stapf palm grass 

* Sporobolus africanus (Poir.) Robyns & Tournay (syn. Sporobolus 

indicus var. capensis (P. Beauv.) Engl.) 

ratstail, Parramatta grass 

* Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze buffalo grass, St Augustine grass 

* Tradescantia fluminensis Vell. Conc. wandering Jew 

# Triglochin striatum Ruíz & Pavón arrow-grass 

* Vulpia bromoides (L.) S.F.Gray vulpia hair grass, squirrel-tail 

fescue 

* Vulpia myuros var. megalura (Nutt.) Auquier vulpia hair grass 

136

* Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.) Spreng. arum lily 

Lake Wainamu – A small freshwater lake at Te Henga 

Anthony Keen and Keith Thompson 

Following the talk on global wetlands given by our 

November speaker, 2004, to the society, we visited the 

Te Henga wetlands and Lake Wainamu. We have 

compiled a brief report on the sand dune and unique 

lake system. Maori named the surrounding area 

Te Henga for the way the sand dunes formed, like the 

upturned hull of a canoe. Lake Wainamu is a small 

freshwater lake and wetland complex situated in the Te 

Henga valley system, on the western side of the 

Waitakere ranges, just north of Anawhata and south of 

Muriwai. A significant feature, which helps create the 

lake, is the large, mainly unvegetated sand-dune system 

which spans a small valley running north into the main 

Te Henga valley and wetland ecosystem. The dune 

probably developed in the mid to late Holocene and was 

left stranded as sea levels receded slightly to the present 

day level. 

To the west of the dune, coastal manuka scrubland 

grows on another old dune where emergent 

pohutukawa/broadleaf forest begins to regenerate. On 

the eastern side of the valley the landscape is heavily 

modified for farming and lifestyle blocks. 

An interesting feature of this dune system is the small 

ventifacts of volcanic rock near the summit of the dune. 

There are more spectacular ventifacts in places like the 

Antarctic dry valleys, but these shiny little sand-blasted 

pebbles from Te Henga show early signs of wind 

sculpture and also demonstrate that the dune is quite 

stable, otherwise these rocks would not accumulate at 

the surface. Any guesses as to how long it takes to 

make a ventifact? 

The sand dune acts a dam, maintaining the height of the 

lake. A healthy photic zone in the lake once supported 

submergents such as Chara australis (formerly C. 

corallina) to a depth of 4.5 m and Potamogeton 

ochreatus, which grew in shallower water (Paul 

Champion, pers. comm.). Found floating on the surface 

that day was a piece of Egeria densa, the exotic oxygen 

weed. Paul Champion recalled that in 1991 this weed 

was restricted to the outlet only, and by 1995 it had 

displaced everything, growing down to 5.5m. In early 

2000 the Egeria beds collapsed and have so far not reestablished, 

though the plant is still present. What we 

did not see that day was the exotic bladderwort, 

Utricularia gibba that Paul records as having also 

invaded this water body. Along with these plant 

137 

introductions, people have also liberated rudd, perch and 

catfish into Wainamu. 

From our walk around parts of the lake we 

encountered an obvious band of emergent and 

marginal wetland plant communities existing between 

the valley side and the lake edge. There appeared to 

be two major zonations in the vegetation, which was 

comprised of both introduced and native species. Free 

floating islands of the emergent South American native 

(and very invasive) parrot feather, Myriophyllum 

aquaticum grew close to the lake’s vegetated edge, 

and in open areas Ludwigia peploides. Thick mats of 

Typha orientalis, Baumea articulata and Eleocharis 

sphacelata grew as a band of emergent vegetation out 

approximately 5-7 metres into the lake. Closer to 

shore, with a soil / water surface other rushes and 

sedges became more common including 

Schoenoplectus tabernemontana, Carex secta, C. 

virgata, C. geminata, Cyperus ustulatus and 

Bolboschoenus fluviatile interlaced with the native 

swamp millet Isachne globosa. Kikuyu (Pennisetum 

clandestinum) grew out onto this community in places. 

At the foot of the hill, the conditions were becoming 

more terrestrialised with the water tolerant toetoe 

(Cortaderia fulvida) and Phormium tenax commonly 

encountered. Amongst the toetoe and flax were the 

common woody swamp shrubs, Leptospermum 

scoparium, Coprosma robusta, Hebe stricta, and 

Geniostoma ligustrifolium, which mixed with more 

kikuyu, tall fescue (Schedonorus phoenix) and the odd 

bit of gorse (Ulex europaeus). B. articulata grew in 

places along the stream flowing from the lake with the 

exotic parrot feather holding to the stream bank in 

places. Further down-stream we encountered the 

short, stout Eleocharis gracilis, growing with a 

noticeably shorter Schoenoplectus, but was this a 

short S. tabernaemontana?. People have been planting 

flax along the stream edge in parts and some more 

established native plantings were seen on adjacent 

properties. A large stand of brush wattle, 

Paraserianthes lophantha was seen growing happily on 

a private property adjacent to the stream. Freshwater 

vegetation along the stream edge was noticeably 

replaced with the coastal club rush, Ficinia (Isolepis) 

nodosa as we moved into the tidal zone. Certainly this 

area needs a visit from the society, to investigate in 

more detail its unique botany.

Plants of Ambury Regional Park Manukau Harbour, Auckland

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