Botanical features of Whakanewha Regional Park Waiheke Island

Botanical features of Whakanewha Regional Park 

Waiheke Island 

Mike Wilcox Andy Spence & Peter White 

Summary 

The main vegetation types of Whakanewha Regional Park (247 ha) Waiheke Island are coastal forest dominated 

by taraire {Beilschmiedia tarairi) regenerating Leptospermum B\\6 Kunzea scrub wetlands and mangroves a 

coastal beaches and shell banks. To date 445 species of higher plants have been recorded comprising 265 

native species (59%) and 180 introduced species (41%). 

History of Waihekes vegetation 

kauri forests of the western end of the island had 

Waiheke Island covers an area of 9320 ha in the disappeared. 

Hauraki Gulf 20 km from Auckland. There is 

surprisingly little in the way of published accounts of 

the botany of Waiheke since the paper by Kirk (1878) 

which gives an idea of the original forest patterns. 

There is not a great deal of native bush left now on 

Waiheke following centuries of Maori occupation and 

cutting of the forests for timber and firewood and 

clearing of the land for farming (White 2000; Chappie 

In 1826 the European onslaught against kauri began 

when the barque St Patrick with the assistance of 

local Maori (Ngati Paoa) loaded kauri spars at Man O 

War Bay. Up until the 1850s Maori willingly cut and 

dragged out kauri logs and Europeans carted them 

away. Soil erosion so evident today in western parts 

of the island was begun by Maori with their cultivation 

Ebbett & Kitson 2001). Most of the remaining bush practices and massive earthworks for pa sites but was 

remnants were surveyed and reported on by greatly accelerated by the European with their 

Fitzgibbon & Slaven (1988). 

extensive forest clearance. Since the European arrival 

many of the wetland areas on the southern side of the 

Kauri {Agathis australis) tanekaha {Phyllocladus island have increased considerably due to siltation 

trichomanoides) and hard beech {Nothofagus truncata) after bare ground was exposed after the trees holding 

were evidently present on upper valley walls ridges the soil together were felled. By about 1880 the hills 

and spurs; taraire {Beilschmiedia tarairi) tawa {B. had been stripped bare for sheep farming with only 

tawa) and kohekohe {Dysoxylum spectabile occurred the small remnants of forests restricted mainly to 

in sheltered coastal and inland valleys with some rimu gullies the forests having been consumed 

{Dacrydium cupressinum) present also. Pohutukawa consecutively by the needs of sailing ship technology 

(Metrosideros excelsa) and occasional karo housing construction and the fires of Auckland. 

(Pittosporum crassifolium) occurred on coastal slopes 

and cliffs and the margins of forests by the sea. On 

less exposed coastal slopes kohekohe puriri {Vitex 

During this early settler period kauri was transported 

to Sydney and Valparaiso Chile and sent to Auckland 

lucens) and karaka {Corynocarpus laevigata) 

for house and furniture timber for the growing 

accompanied pohutukawa. In poorly drained areas 

settlement there. It was also used for the building of 

pukatea {Laurelia novae zelandiae) kahikatea 

Waihekes early homes and farm buildings. Small 

{Dacrycarpus dacrydioides) and taraire were dominant. 

Flax {Phormium tenax and various sedges occurred 

mainly in marshy places or on the borders of forests 

(Kirk 1878; Fitzgibbon et al 1988). On the coast the 

forests would have given way to saltmarsh and 

mangrove forest in tidal inlets and to pingao spinifex 

communities on mobile sand dunes. According to Kirk 

hard beech was common at sea level. 

The early Maori occupants of the island lived largely 

off native fauna such as shellfish moa fur seals and 

the abundant fisheries of the Hauraki Gulf. Later on 

they developed more extensive gardening practices 

burning forests for clearance and soil enrichment. This 

slash and burn type of agriculture occurred mainly in 

the western parts of the island on areas of flat land 

while in the east reliance was more on kaimoana 

seafood gathering. By the time of the European arrival 

kanuka {Kunzea ericoides) manuka {Leptospermum 

scoparium) forest predominated in western Waiheke 

and climax forest including impressive stands of kauri 

was limited to the area from Awaawaroa eastwards to 

the Orapiu/Man O War Bay coast. Only tiny remnants 

of climax forest remained west of this point and the 

34 

pockets of kauri were still being cut out as late as 

1908. Puriri was used for house foundations fence 

posts and battens. Tanekaha bark was stripped for use 

in the tanning trade and the wood used as walking 

sticks and fishing rods. Kauri gum was used in the 

manufacture of paint and polishes as kindling and 

polished for gifts. Pohutukawa was used for the knees 

of vessels and for framing (Monin 1992). 

Manuka and kanuka was extensively cut down for 

firewood and was the chief source of Aucklands 

firewood. Kanuka was also used for fencing. Mamangi 

{Coprosma arborea) was quite numerous in several 

localities but was usually left standing as it gives off an 

unpleasant smell when burnt though it was 

occasionally used for inlays due to its peculiar yellow 

colour (Kirk 1878). The unsuitability of this species as 

firewood may account for its dominance in various 

forest remnants in western Waiheke today. The steady 

decline in sheep farming on the island after 1945 has 

seen some areas slowly revert to kanuka/manuka 

regenerating forest and shrublands and has allowed

forest remnants to revive. Much of the regenerating 

forest has sprung up since then. 

Whakanewha Regional Park 

Whakanewha Regional Park is contained within the 

Inner Gulf Islands Ecological District which lies within 

the Auckland Ecological Region. It was purchased for 

recreation and conservation development in 1993 and 

added to the estate of some 22 parks administered by 

the Auckland Regional Council. Located on the western 

side of the island next to Rocky Bay and accessed via 

Gordons Road the park covers some 247 hectares 

(Figure l).The history of the area is well documented 

(Anon. 1996) and as has aptly been put by Monin 

(1992) "... at Whakanewha the spirit of countless 

Maori generations pervades the calm of an 

undisturbed tidal beach ". 

The main vegetation types are coastal forest 

regenerating scrub wetlands and coastal beaches and 

shell banks. Clunie (1992a 1992b 1992c) Cutting & 

Green (1992) and Gardner (1995) have previously 

reported on the vegetation and flora. Other 

publications on the Waiheke flora relevant to 

Whakanewha are the account of mosses by Jessica 

Beever (1995) and Mike Lees (1999) paper on some 

islets off Waiheke. 

The Auckland Botanical Society held an excursion to 

the park on 17 November 2001 and were joined by 

several Waiheke residents. 

Locals: Andy Spence Don Chappie Rainelia Wylde 

Graham Hooper Jaymz Hooper. 

Bot Soci Mike Wilcox Maureen Young Lisa 

Clapperton Brian Cumber Doug Shaw Fawzi Karem 

Morag McDonald Pam Carmont Pat 

Harry 

Beecham Carol McSweeney Steve Cook Shelley 

Heiss Dunlop Alistair McArthur Fran Hinz Alison 

Wesley Juliet Richmond Shirley Smith Annette 

Lindsay Sandra Jones Leslie Haines Sarah Flynn 

Allan Flynn Robin Gee. 

Our route was along the Tarata Track to the Cascades 

and then down to the beach via the Nikau Track 

followed by exploration of the coastal wetlands. 

Further visits were made by the authors in December 

2001 January 2002 (2) February 2002 and April 

2002. 

Coastal forest and scrub 

The dominant canopy trees in the remnant native bush 

at Whakanewha are taraire and tawa frequently 

accompanied by rewarewa 

{Knightia excelsa) kohekohe 

puriri and karaka. Typically the 

canopy height is c. 16 rn. There 

are also occasional northern rata 

{Metrosideros robusta) pohutukawa 

{M. excelsa) mangeao 

{Litsea calicaris) matai {Prumnopitys 

taxifolia) rimu common 

kowhai {Sophora microphylla) and 

coastal kowhai {S. chathamica). 

On the slopes downhill from 

Rocky Bay is a line of seven large 

puriri trees known as The 

Cathedral" said to have been 

planted by Maori residents in 

ancient times. One giant karaka 

tree is 22 rn tall and 90 cm 

diameter. Kauri is scarce but the 

few biggish trees recorded (we 

have counted only four) appear to 

be very vigorous. 

Figure 1: Map of Whakanewha Regional Park Waiheke Island 

The subcanopy and understorey 

includes mamangi Wharangi 

{Melicope ternata) mahoe 

{Melicytus ramiflorus) hangehange 

{Geniostoma rupestre var. 

ligustrifolium) mapou {Myrsine 

australis) tarata {Pittosporum 

eugenioides) nikau {Rhopalostylis 

sapida) kawakawa {Macropiper 

excelsum) and lancewood 

{Pseudopanax crassifolium). The 

dominant tree ferns are silver fern 

{Cyathea dealbata) and mamaku 

35

Fig.2: Coastal forest dominated by taraire {Beilschmiedia tarairi 

(C. medullaris) whilst wheki {Dicksonia squarrosa) 

occurs much more locally on moister sites. Coprosma 

rhamnoides is a common twiggy shrub. Uncommon 

small trees are kaikomako {Pennantia corym-bosa) and 

milk tree {Streblus heterophyllus). The shrubby 

epiphyte Pittosporum cornifolium is sometimes seen 

perching high up in puriri trees. 

An interesting mixed pole 

hardwood forest occupies about 

one hectare in the upper part of 

the park. It is evidently a 

successional stage after 

manuka and now comprises c. 

10 20 OOO stems/ha of mainly 

mamangi and mapou 4 10 cm 

in diameter and with a canopy 

height of c. 8 m. Seedlings and 

saplings of kohekohe and other 

tree species are sprinkled 

through the stand indicating 

the likely composition of the 

eventual high forest. 

There are abundant 

interspersed seral stands of 

kanuka and manuka the 

kanuka commonly being 8 9 m 

in height with regenerating 

mahoe rangiora {Brachyglottis 

repanda) mapou kawakawa 

mamangi and abundant silver 

tree fern beneath. These stands 

are generally festooned 

beneath with climbing asparagus 

{Asparagus scandens). 

On shaded damp banks around 

the Cascades stream and 

waterfall or as epiphytes 

conditions are suitable for filmy 

ferns and Trichomanes 

elongatum T. endlicherianum 

T. venosum Hymenophyllum 

flexuosum H. sanguinolentum 

H. demissum and H. 

flabellatum were recorded. 

Hymenophyllum rarum has 

been found in the swamp forest 

area of the lower Cascades 

stream. 

Outstanding features seen 

during the excursion were fine 

examples of five finger 

{Pseudopanax arboreus) 

epiphytic on silver tree ferns 

several exceptionally large 

trees of lancewood {Pseudopanax 

crassifolius) natural 

nursery patches of dense 

regenerating seedlings of 

Wharangi examples of the 

rare fern Lastreopsis velutina 

a population of kiekie {Freycinetia baueriana subsp. 

banksii) which is generally uncommon on Waiheke 

and regenerating kaikomako {Pennantia corymbosa). 

The ground flora in the coastal forest is often quite 

sparse but beside the tracks could be found some fine 

flowering patches of hooded orchid {Pterostylis 

Fig.3: Open kanuka {Kunzea ericoides) forest with understorey of 

silver fern {Cyathea dealbata) 

36

anksii) Acianthus sinclairii frequent Gahnia lacera 

Oplismenus hirtellus subsp imbecilus Uncinia 

uncinata Carex breviculmis Carex spinirostris 

Diane/Ia nigra (in flower) Veronica plebeia 

Hydrocotyle dissecta Ranunculus reflexus Lobelia 

anceps Hypericum humifusum H. japonicum 

Dichondra repens Centella uniflora Euchiton 

gymnocephalus and numerous ferns including 

Asplenium lamprophyllum A. gracillimum Pteris 

saxatilis P. macilenta and Doodia australis. The 

Australian sedge {Carex longebrachiata) is frequent 

beside the bush tracks. It has persisted from the time 

it was a prominent pasture weed when the land was 

farmed. Nikau seedlings are abundant throughout. 

Damp places within scrub or forest support a community 

of prostrate plants commonly Callitriche muelleri 

Ranunculus amphitrlchus Juncus articulatus Isolepis 

reticularis and Schoenus maschalinus True "gumland" 

conditions are not present in Whakanewha but certain 

areas of shallower more impoverished clay soils have 

some typical gumland species such as Lepidosperma 

australe Baumea tenax Lindsaea linearis and 

Gonocarpus incanus 

The pa site above the beach is noteworthy for large 

old trees of puriri ngaio {Myoporum laetum) 

kohekohe tawa taraire matai kowhai an impressive 

hinau {Elaeocarpus dentatus) and populations of 

native passion vine {Passiflora tetrandra). A prominent 

weed there is herb Robert {Geranium robertianum). 

Moth plant {Araujia serie/fera) still persists despite 

strenuous efforts by the local park workers to 

eliminate it. 

Shell banks and beach 

The sandy beach at Whakanewha is backed by shell 

banks which have been colonised to various degrees 

by plants. On the sand itself there are a few patches of 

spinifex {Spinifex sericeus) and some planted pingao 

{Desmoschoenus spiraiis).There is also a fine clump of 

planted Cortaderia splendens at the main picnic area 

The freshest shell banks have only a sparse 

vegetation with plants such as native ice plant 

{Disphyma australe) beach celery {Apium 

prostratum) sea rocket {Cakile edentula) knob sedge 

{Isolepis nodosa) salt marsh tussock {Austrostipa 

stipoides) shore bind weed {Calystegia soldanella) 

beach orache {Atriplex prostrata) Haloragis erecta 

and Senecio lautus. Muehlenbeckia complexa is an 

abundant scrambler in coastal sites throughout 

Whakanewha. Damper areas have abundant bachelors 

button {Cotula coronopifolia) glasswort {Sarcocornia 

quinqueflora) Selliera radicans Samolus repens and 

Isolepis cernua. 

The older more stable shell banks and beach have 

become colonised by numerous plants mostly 

introduced prominent among which are buffalo grass 

{Stenotaphrum secundatum) Gladiolus undulatus wild 

onion {Allium vineale) rough clover (Trifolium 

scabrum) lesser suckling clover {T. micranthum) 

smooth tare (Vicia tetrasperma) hairy birdsfoot trefoil 

{Lotus suaveolens) hawkbit {Leontodon taraxacoides) 

Avena barbata Poa pratensis Lagurus ovatus Bromus 

diandrus Briza maxima Anagallis arvensis Anagallis 

arvensis var. coerulea Arctotheca calendula Beta 

vulgaris Cichorium intybus Geranium molle Geranium 

purpureum Linum bienne Medicago nigra Melilotus 

Fig.4: Shellbank and lagoon behind the beach with clumps of glasswort {Sarcocornia 

quinqueflora) and tussocks of coastal needle grass {Austrostipa stipoides) 

37

indicus Osteospermum barberiae Polycarpon Within the forest are some sedge swamps the 

tetraphyllum Ranunculus scleratus Senecio dominant species being Carex lessoniana C geminata 

bipinnatisectus Senecio lautus Silene gallica Sonchus Carex virgata and Baumea tenax. 

asper Trifolium repens and Verbascum creticum. 

Damp open sites have native rushes Juncus 

There is a small bush clad rocky island in the 

sarophorus J. australis and 1 edgariae. Wind grass 

Poukaraka wetland on which is growing a thriving 

{Lachnagrostis filiformis) is common in places on 

population of the locally rare shrub Pomaderris rugosa. 

stabilised shell banks while sand wind grass (L 

Elsewhere on Waiheke this species is known from the 

billardieri) can be found occasionally on the sandy eastern coastal margin of Te Matuku Bay and it has 

beach. 

recently been discovered on Rotoroa Island and a 

small unnamed islet between Rotoroa and Ponui 

Wetlands 

Islands. On the island at Whakanewha some 23 plants 

Sheltered coastal estuaries are fringed by mangroves were recorded on 31 December 2001 all healthy and 

{Avicennia marina var. australasica) and associated salt vigorous. The island also has numerous small trees of 

marshes with shore ribbonwood {Plagianthus Wharangi and coastal kowhai and a good deal of 

divaricatum shore rush {Juncus kraussi/ var. gorse though it is seemingly not posing a threat to the 

australiensis) Juncus pallidus) Baumea juncea Samolus Pomaderris rugosa. 

repens Selliera radicans Lilaeopsis novaezelandiae and 

Apium prostratum subsp prostratum var. filiforme 

Two swamp species Hydrocotyle pterocarpa and 

Triglochin striata Parapholis strigosa and Polypogon 

Ranunculus urvilleanus recorded by Gardner (1995) are 

monspeliensis. The introduced Carex divisa as 

considered to be uncommon in the Tamaki Ecological 

elsewhere in Auckland has heavily invaded the margins 

District 

of the salt marshes. Growing also on the fringe is Coastal cliffs 

clustered dock {Rumex conglomeratus) with reddish Pohutukawa trees cling to the greywacke cliffs which 

fruiting heads and the more robust curled dock (/?.. also support colonies of Poa anceps and extensive 

crispus). Swamp bindweed {Calystegia sepium) abounds patches of Peperomia urvilleana which is also locally 

in wet areas. Where streams open out into the narrow plentiful at the base of trees above the Cascades 

lagoons behind the shell banks are beds of Stream. Boneseed {Chrysanthemoides monolifer) is a 

Bolboschoenus medianus together with Apodasmia cliff face colonist together with Rytidosperma 

similis and with Cyperus ustulatus prominent on drier penicillatum Aira caryophyllea Dichelachne crinita 

land at the back. Sea aster {Aster subulatus) is abundant Senecio hispidulus and Verbascum creticum. 

in places. 

Further upstream from the coast in the extensive 6 

Rarity of certain native species at Whakanewha 

hectare Poukaraka Wetland also known as the Rocky 

A noteworthy feature of the Whakanewha flora is that 

Bay Wetland with increasingly freshwater conditions are 

a number of native species there which otherwise are 

prominent beds of raupo {Typha orientalis) adjoining 

fairly common around Auckland were encountered by 

extensive stands of freshwater club rush {Bolboschoenus 

us in just single colonies or occurrences and this was 

fluviatilis) and flax {Phormium tenax). There is swamp 

after comprehensive traverses over the whole park. 

millet (Isachne globosa) bulrush {Schoenoplectus 

These locally rare species include Blechnum fraseri 

tabemaemontani) Eleocharis acuta Isolepis prolifera 

Epilobium rotundifolium Gleichenia microphylla 

Apodasmia similis Baumea juncea B. rubiginosa Juncus 

Hymenophyllum rarum Hypolepis distans (not known 

effusus Carex virgata C secta C solandri where the 

elsewhere on Waiheke Island) and Laurelia novaezelandiae. 

forest joins the wetlands and occasionally C maorica 

and patches of Paspalum vaginatum where the water is 

brackish. Herbaceous dicot water plants in the 

freshwater upper reaches of the wetland include 

Polygonum salicifolium Ludwigia palustris Rorippa 

nasturtium aquaticum Myosotis laxa and Callitriche 

stagnalis. About a dozen clumps of toetoe {Cortaderia 

fulvida) occur scattered about in a sea of freshwater 

club rush. We were unable to reach these plants and the 

possibility remains that it is C splendens. 

On the floodplain of the Cascade Stream as it nears its 

outlet into the Poukaraka Wetland the ferns Diplazium 

australe and Depariapetersenii arecommonly found. In 

this area a lone pukatea {Laurelia novae zelandiae) 

stands tall above thickets of grey willow {Salix cinerea) 

and tobacco weed {Solanum mauritianum). 

Weeds 

It has to be said that weeds are something of a 

feature at Whakanewha. The worst of them is climbing 

asparagus which is all too common in the kanuka 

stands and open bush areas and has a strong grip. 

Carex divisa is common through the salt marsh 

fringes; Carex longebrachiata occurs abundantly 

throughout the park all along the track margins; 

tobacco weed {Solanum mauritianum) honeysuckle 

{Lonicera japonica) and moth plant {Araujia serie/fera) 

rapidly invade disturbed bush sites; and infestations of 

Smilax {Asparagus asparagoides) are particularly bad in 

the shell bank area where gorse and buffalo grass also 

abound. 

38

Waiheke native species not recorded at 

Whakanewha 

Several native plants occurring elsewhere on Waiheke 

Island but not yet recorded in Whakanewha are: 

Aristotelia serrata Arthropteris tenella Blechnum 

discolor Calystegia tuguriorum Cardiomanes 

reniforme Coprosma propinqua Cordyline pumilio 

Coriaria arborea Cyathea smithii Drymoanthus 

adversus Earina autumnalis Grammitis billardierei 

Hebe macrocarpa Hymenophyllum dilatatum Lindsaea 

trichomanoides Nestegis montana Nothofagus 

truncata Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum Pteris 

comans Schizaea dichotoma Streblus banksii 

Syzygium maire and Weinmannia silvicola. 

Senecio lautus on shellbank Whakanewa Regional Park 

Waiheke Island 13 Oct 2001. 

Disphyma australe subsp australe on shellbank Whakanewa Regional Park 

Waiheke Island 13 Oct 2001. 

39

Species list 

Legend: adventive pl. planted. 

Maori name Common name 

Scientific name 

Ferns 

Adiantum cunninghamii 

Adiantum diaphanum 

Adiantum fulvum 

Adiantum hispidulum 

Adiantum raddianum 

Adiantum viridescens 

Anarthropteris lanceolata 

Asplenium bulbiferum subsp. 

bulbiferum 

Asplenium bulbiferum 

gracillimum 

subsp. 

Asplenium flaccidum subsp. 

flaccidum 

Asplenium 

Asplenium 

lamprophyllum 

oblongi folium 

Asplenium polyodon 

blechnum chambersii 

[Blechnum filiforme 

[Blechnum fluviatile 

Blechnum fraseri 

Blechnum membranaceum 

[Blechnum novae zelandiae 

(incl. B. minus) 

[Cyathea dealbata 

Cyathea 

Deparia 

Dicksonia 

medullaris 

petersenii 

squarrosa 

Diplazium australe 

Doodia australis 

Gleichenia microphylla 

Histiopteris incisa 

Hymenophyllum demissum 

Hymenophyllum flabellatum 

Hymenophyllum flexuosum 

Hymenophyllum rarum 

Hymenophyllum 

sanguinolentum 

Hypolepis distans 

Lastreopsis glabella 

Lastreopsis hispida 

Lastreopsis microsora 

Lastreopsis velutina 

Lindsaea linearis 

Lygodium articulatum 

Marattia salicina 

Microsorum 

Microsorum 

Paesia 

scaberula 

Pneumatopteris 

Polystichum 

Pteridium 

Pteris 

macilenta 

pustu/atum 

scandens 

richardii 

esculentum 

pennigera 

Pteris saxatilis 

Pteris tremula 

Pyrrosia eleagnifolia 

Trichomanes elongatum 

Trichomanes 

endlicherianum 

Puhinui 

whare ngarara 

mouku mouki 

mauku 

manamana 

mouku 

makawe o 

raukatauri 

raukatauri 

huruhuruwhenua 

parenako 

paretao 

petako 

rereti nini 

panako 

kiwakiwa 

maukurangi 

kiokio & swamp 

kiokio 

ponga 

mamaku korau 

jpitau 

Wheki tirawa 

Pukupuku 

piripiri 

tuakura 

mangemange 

para 

kowaowao 

Paraharaha 

mokimoki 

matata 

pakauroharoha 

piupiu 

Pikopiko 

rahurahu rarauhe 

rarahu 

titipo 

turawera 

ngarara wehi 

(= Crepidomanes 

endlicherianum) 

common maidenhair ] 

small maidenhair 

hairy maidenhair 

rosy maidenhair 

a maidenhair fern 

lance fern 

hen and chickens 

fern 

hen and chickens 

fern 

hanging spleenwort j 

drooping 

spleenwort 

shining spleenwort 

sickle spleenwort 

lance fern 

thread fern 

creek fern 

miniature tree fern. 

silver tree fern 

black tree fern 

rough or harsh tree 

fern 

rasp fern 

umbrella fern 

filmy fern 

filmy fern 

filmy fern 

filmy fern 

filmy fern 

smooth shield fern 

hairy fern 

velvet fern 

bushmans mattress 

king fern (pl.) 

hounds tongue 

fragrant fern 

hard scented lace or 

ring fern 

gully fern feather 

fern 

common shield fern 

bracken Austral 

bracken 

sweet brake sweet 

fern 

a brake fern 

shaking brake 

leather leaf fern 

bristle fern 

bristle fern 

Fern allies 

Lycopodium deuterodensum 

Lycopodium varium (= 

Huperzia varia) 

Selaginella kraussiana 

Tmesipteris elongata 

Tmesipteris lanceolata 

Tmesipteris tannensis 

Conifers 

Agathis australis 

Dacrycarpus dacrydioides 

Dacrydium cupressinum 

Libocedrus plumosa 

Phyllocladus trichomanoides 

Podocarpus totara 

Prumnopitys ferruginea 

Prumnopitys taxifolia 

Dicot trees and shrubs 

Alectryon excelsus 

Alseuosmia macrophylla 

Alseuosmia quercifolia 

Avicennia marina var. 

australasica 

Beilschmiedia tarairi 

Beilschmiedia tawa 

Brachyglottis repanda 

Carmichaelia australis 

Carpodetus serratus 

Coprosma arborea 

Coprosma areolata 

Coprosma grandifolia 

Coprosma lucida 

Coprosma macrocarpa 

Coprosma propinqua x robusta 

or macrocarpa 

Coprosma rhamnoides 

Coprosma robusta 

Coprosma robusta x 

C. rhamnoides 

Coprosma spathulata 

Corynocarpus laevigatus 

Cotoneaster glaucophyllus 

Dodonaea viscosa 

Dysoxylum spectabile 

Elaeagnus x reflexa 

Elaeocarpus dentatus 

Entelea arborescens 

Eriobotrya japonica 

Eucalyptus botryoides 

Eucalyptus saligna 

Fuchsia excorticata 

[Geniostoma rupestre var. 

ligustrifolium 

[Griselinia lucida 

•Hebe stricta 

[Hedycarya arborea 

[Hoheria populnea 

[Knightia excelsa 

Kunzea ericoides 

Laurelia novae zelandiae 

Leptospermum scoparium 

Leucopogon fasciculatus 

Leucopogon fraseri 

Leycesteria formosa 

[Ligustrum lucidum 

Ligustrum sinense 

[Litsea calicaris 

Lophostemon confertus 

Lycium ferocissimum 

puakarimu 

iwituna 

kauri 

kahikatea 

rimu 

kawaka 

tanekaha 

totara 

miro 

matai 

titoki 

toropapa 

manawa 

taraire 

tawa 

rangiora 

maukoro 

putaputaweta 

mamangi 

kanono 

karamu 

karamu 

karaka 

akeake 

kohekohe 

hinau 

whau 

kotukutuku 

hangehange 

puka 

koromiko 

porokaiwhiri 

houhere 

rewarewa 

kanuka 

pukatea 

manuka 

mingimingi 

patotara 

mangeao 

club moss 

hanging clubmoss 

tassel fern 

African club moss 

Selaginella 

a fork fern 

a fork fern 

a fork fern 

white pine 

red pine 

pl. 

celery pine 

brown pine 

black pine 

native honeysuckle 

mangrove 

native broom 

marble leaf 

tree coprosma 

thin leaved coprosma j 

shiny karamu 

twiggy coprosma 

cotoneaster 

elaeagnus 

cork wood 

loquat 

bangalay (pl.) 

Sydney blue gum 

(Pl ) 

tree fuchsia 

Maori privet 

pigeonwood 

lacebark 

NZ honeysuckle 

tea tree 

dwarf heath 

Himalayan 

honeysuckle 

tree privet 

Chinese privet 

brush box (pl.) 

boxthorn (Koi Is.) 

j 

j 

40

Macropiper excelsum 

Melicope ternata 

Melicytus micranthus 

Melicytus ramiflorus 

Metrosideros excelsa 

Metrosideros robusta 

Mida salicifolia 

Myoporum laetum 

[Myrsine australis 

Nestegis cunninghamii 

\Nestegis lanceolata 

•Olearia furfuracea 

\Olearia rani 

Paraserianthes lophantha 

Pennantia corymbosa 

[Pittosporum cornifolium 

Pittosporum crassifolium 

\Pittosporum eugenioides 

Pittosporum tenuifolium 

Plagianthus divaricatus 

Polygala myrtifolia 

Pomaderris phylicifolia var. 

ericifolia 

Pomaderris rugosa 

Pouteria costata 

Prunus persica 

Pseudopanax arboreus 

Pseudopanax crassifolius 

Pseudopanax crassifolius x P. 

lessonii 

[Pseudopanax lessonii 

\Rosa rubiginosa 

\Rubus fruticosus agg. 

Salix cinerea 

Salix matsudana Tortuosa 

Schefflera digitata 

Solanum aviculare 

Solanum linnaeanum 

Solanum mauritianum 

Sophora chathamica 

\Sophora microphylla 

Streblus heterophyllus 

\Ulex europaeus 

Vitex lucens 

Dicot lianes 

Araujia sendifera 

[Calystegia sepium 

Calystegia soldanella 

Clematis paniculata 

lonicera japonica 

Metrosideros diffusa 

Metrosideros fulgens 

Metrosideros perforata 

Muehlenbeckia complexa 

Parsonsia heterophylla 

Passiflora mollissima 

Passiflora tetrandra 

[Rubus australis 

[Rubus cissoides 

Composite herbs 

Ageratina adenophora 

Ageratina riparia 

Arctotheca calendula 

Aster subulatus 

Bellis perennis 

Chrysanthemoides monolifera 

Cichorium intybus 

Cirsium vulgare 

kawakawa 

Wharangi 

mahoe 

pohutukawa 

rata 

ngaio 

mapou 

maire 

maire 

akepiro tanguru 

heketara 

kaikomako 

karo 

tarata 

kohuhu 

makaka 

tauhinu 

tawapou 

puahou whau 

whaupaku 

horoeka 

horoeka 

houpara 

pate 

poroporo 

coastal kowhai 

kowhai 

turepo 

puriri 

pohue 

nihinihi 

puawananga 

akatawhiwhi 

aka 

pohuehue 

kaihua 

kohia 

tataramoa 

tataramoa 

whiteywood 

northern rata 

black maire 

white maire 

brush wattle 

lemonwood 

swamp ribbonwood 

sweet pea shrub 

Pl. 

peach 

five finger 

lancewood 

lancewood hybrid 

sweet brier 

blackberry 

grey willow 

Peking corkscrew 

willow 

sevenfinger 

apple of Sodom 

tobacco weed woolly 

nightshade 

small leaved milk tree 

gorse 

moth plant 

swamp bindweed 

shore bindweed 

native clematis 

Japanese 

honeysuckle 

white climbing rata 

orange rata vine 

small white rata vine i 

NZ jasmine 

banana passionfruit 

NZ passionfruit 

swamp lawyer 

bush lawyer 

Mexican devil weed 

mist flower 

cape weed 

sea aster 

daisy 

boneseed 

chicory 

Scotch thistle 

Conyza albida 

Conyza bilbaoana 

Cotula coronopifolia 

Crepis capillaris 

Erechtites valerianifolia 

Euchiton gymnocephalus 

Gamochaeta americana 

Gamochaeta spicata 

Gamochaeta simpficicaulis 

Helminthotheca echioides 

Hypochoeris radicata 

Lactuca serriola 

Lapsana communis 

Leontodon taraxacoides 

•Osteospermum barberiae 

Senecio bipinnatisectus 

Senecio diaschides 

Senecio esteri 

Senecio glomeratus 

Senecio hispidulus 

Senecio minimus 

Senecio lautus 

Silybum marianum 

Sonchus asper 

Sonchus oleraceus 

Other dicot herbs 

Acaena anserinifolia 

Alcea rosea 

Anagallis arvensis 

Anagallis arvensis var. 

coerulea 

Apium prostratum 

Apium prostratum subsp. 

prostratum var. filiforme 

Atriplex prostrata 

[Beta vulgaris 

Cakile edentula 

Callitriche muelleri 

Callitriche stagnalis 

Centaurium erythraea 

Centella uniflora 

Daucus carota 

Dichondra repens 

Disphyma australe subsp. 

australe 

Duchesnea indica 

Epilobium ciliatum 

Epilobium rotundifolium 

Erodium moschatum 

Euphorbia peplus 

Galium aparine 

Galium palustre 

Geranium homeanum 

Geranium molle 

Geranium purpureum 

Geranium retrorsum 

Geranium robertianum 

Gonocarpus incanus 

Haloragis erecta 

Hydrocotyle dissecta 

Hydrocotyle pterocarpa 

Hypericum androsaemum 

Hypericum humifusum 

Hypericum japonicum 

Lilaeopsis novae zelandiae 

Linum bienne 

Linum trigynum 

Lobelia anceps 

Lotus pedunculatus 

Lotus suaveolens 

tutae koau 

toatoa 

punakuru 

broad leaved 

fleabane 

Canadian fleabane 

bachelors button 

hawksbeard 

Brazilian fireweed 

creeping cudweed 

cudweed 

purple cudweed 

tall cudweed 

oxtongue 

catsear 

prickly lettuce 

nipplewort 

hawkbit 

African daisy 

smooth Australian 

fireweed 

fireweed 

hairy Australian 

fireweed 

gravel groundsel 

shore groundsel 

variegated thistle 

prickly sow thistle 

puha 

sow thistle 

bidibidi 

hollyhock 

scarlet pimpernel 

blue pimpernel 

large leaved native 

celery (erect) 

small leaved native ! 

celery (creeping) j 

beach orache 

wild silver beet 

sea rocket 

starwort 

starwort 

centaury 

pennywort 

wild carrot 

Mercury Bay weed 

native Ice plant 

Indian strawberry 

tall willow herb 

musky storksbill 

milk weed 

cleavers 

marsh bedstraw 

cranesbill 

dovesfoot cranesbill ! 

cranesbill 

herb Robert 

tutsan 

trailing St Johns wort; 

pale flax 

yellow flax 

shore lobelia 

lotus major birdsfoot trefoil 

hairy birdsfoot trefoil;

Ludwigia palustris 

Lycopersicon esculentum 

Lythrum hyssopifb/ia 

Medicago nigra 

Melilotus indicus 

Mentha x piperita 

Mentha pulegium 

Modiola caroliniana 

Myosotis arvensis 

Myosotis laxa 

Oenanthe pimpinelloides 

Orobanche minor 

Oxalis exilis 

Oxalis rubens 

Parentucellia viscosa 

Parochetus communis 

Peperomia urvilleana 

Physalis peruviana 

Phytolacca octandra 

Plantago australis 

Plantago lanceolata 

Plantago major 

Polycarpon tetraphyllum 

polygonum salicifolium 

Prunella vulgaris 

Ranunculus amphitrichus 

Ranunculus reflexus 

R. hirtus 

Ranunculus scleratus 

Ranunculus urvilleanus 

Raphanus raphanistrum 

Rorippa nasturtium aquaticum 

Rumex acetosella 

Rumex conglomeratus 

Rumex crispus 

Samolus repens 

Sarcocornia quinqueflora 

(Salicornia australis) 

Saliera radicans 

Sherardia arvensis 

Silene gallica 

Solanum americanum 

Solanum nigrum 

Spergularia rubra 

Stellaria media 

Stellaria parviflora 

Torilis arvensis 

Trifolium mieranthum 

Trifolium pratense 

Trifolium repens 

Trifolium scabrum 

Verbascum creticum 

Verbena bonariensis 

Weronica persica 

Veronica plebeia 

Vida sativa 

Vitica tetrasperma 

Vinca major 

Wahlenbergia violacea 

Monocot trees and shrubs 

Cordyline australis 

Cordyline banksii 

Rhopalostylis sapida 

Monocot lianes 

Asparagus asparagoides 

Asparagus scandens 

tiitanawai 

waorlki 

maakoako 

kouka 

ngahere 

nikau 

tomato 

hyssop loosestrife 

bur medick 

King Island melilot 

peppermint 

pennyroyal 

creeping mallow 

field forget me not 

water forget me not j 

parsley dropwort 

broomrape 

coastal oxalis 

tarweed yellow 

shamrock pea 

Cape gooseberry 

inkweed 

swamp plantain 

narrow leaved 

broad leaved plantain 

allseed 

swamp willow weed j 

selfheal 

buttercup 

hairy buttercup 

maruru 

celery leaved 

buttercup 

wild radish 

watercress 

sheeps sorrel 

clustered dock 

curled dock 

sea primrose shore 

pimpernel 

glasswort 

Selliera 

field madder 

catchfly 

black nightshade 

sand spurrey 

common stitchwort 

native stitchwort 

spreading hedge 

lesser suckling clover 

red clover 

white clover 

rough clover 

Cretan mullein 

purple top 

scrambling speedwell 

forest veronica 

common vetch 

smooth tare 

periwinkle 

native hare bell 

cabbage tree 

forest cabbage tree 

Smilax 

climbing asparagus 

Freycinetia baueriana subsp.banksii kiekie 

Geitonoplesium cymosum 

Ripogonum scandens 

Orchids 

Acianthus sinclairii 

Corybas cheesemanii 

Corybas macranthus 

Earina mucronata 

Microtis unifolia 

Pterostylis banksii 

Thelymitra longifolia 

Thelymitra paudflora 

Winika bartsia (=Dendrobium)cunninghamii 

Sedges 

Baumea juncea 

Baumea rubiginosa 

Baumea tenax 

plantain Bofboschoenus fluviatilis 

Bolboschoenus medianus 

Carex breviculmis 

Carex divisa 

Carex dissita 

Carex divulsa 

Carex geminata 

Carex inversa 

Carex flagellifera 

buttercup Carex lambertiana 

Carex lessoniana 

Carex longebrachiata 

Carex maorica 

Carex secta 

Carex solandri 

Carex spinirostris 

Carex virgata 

Cyperus brevifolius 

Cyperus eragrostis 

Cyperus ustulatus 

Desmoschoenus spiralis 

Eleocharis acuta 

Gahnia lacera 

Gahnia pauciflora 

Gahnia setifolia 

Gahnia xanthocarpa 

Isolepis cernua 

Isolepis nodosa 

Isolepis 

parsley 

prolifera 

Isolepis reticularis 

Isolepis sepulcralis 

Lepidosperma australe 

Morelotia affinis 

42 

Schoenoplectus 

Schoenus maschalinus 

Uncinia banksii 

Unciniadistans 

Uncinia uncinata 

Uncinia zotovii 

Rushes 

Juncus articulatus 

Juncus australis 

Juncus bufonius 

Juncus distegus 

Juncus edgariae (formerly 

Juncus effusus 

tabernaemontani 

Juncus kraussii var.australiensis Wiwi 

Juncus microcephalus 

kareao 

peka a waka 

tutu kiwi 

kukuraho 

toetoe rautahi 

purei 

toetoe upoko 

pingao 

mapere 

tupari maunga 

watau 

kamu 

toad rush 

wiwI 

(eradicated) 

supplejack 

pixie cap 

spider orchid 

spider orchid 

bamboo orchid 

onion orchid 

elfs hood orchid 

sun orchid 

sun orchid 

lad/s slipper orchid 

freshwater club rush! 

marsh club rush 

salt marsh carex 

carex bush sedge 

grey sedge 

cutty grass 

creeping lawn sedge \ 

tussock sedge 

cutty grass 

Australian sedge 

niggerhead 

green umbrella sedge; 

giant tangata umbrella sedgej 

golden sand sedge 

sharp spike sedge 

coastal cutty grass 

cutty grass 

cutty grass 

cutty grass 

slender clubrush 

knobby clubrush 

square rush 

bulrush 

slender hook sedge j 

slender harsh hook j 

sedge 

hook sedge 

hook sedge 

jointed rush 

gregiflorus) 

soft rush 

sea rush

Juncus pallidus 

Juncus planifolius 

Juncus prismatocarpus 

Juncus sarophorus 

Juncus tenuis 

brasses 

Agrostis capillaris 

Agrostis stolonifera 

Aira caryophyllea 

Anthoxanthum odoratum 

Arrhenatherum elatius 

Austrostipa stipoides 

Avena barbata 

Axonopus fissifo/ius 

friza maxima 

Briza minor 

fromus diandrus 

Bromus hordeaceus 

Bromus lithobius 

Bromus wildenowii 

foriaderia fulvida 

Cortaderia jubata 

Cortaderia selloana 

Cortaderia splendens 

Critesion murinum 

Cynodon dactylon 

Dactylis glomerata 

Deyeuxia avenoides 

Dichelachne crinita 

Digitaria sanguinalis 

Ehrharta erecta 

Eragrostis brownii 

Gastridium ventricosum 

Holcus lanatus 

sachne globosa 

Lachnagrostis billardierei 

Lachnagrostis filiformis 

Lagurus ovatus 

Lolium multiflorum 

Lolium perenne 

toetoe 

toetoe 

track rush 

browntop 

creeping bent 

silvery hair grass 

sweet vernal 

tall oat grass 

coastal needle grass 

bearded oat 

carpet grass 

large quaking grass 

shivery grass 

ripgut brome 

soft brome 

Chilean brome 

prairie grass 

swamp toetoe 

purple pampas grass 

pampas grass 

coastal toetoe (pl.) 

barley grass 

Bermuda grass 

cocksfoot 

long hair plume grass 

summer grass 

veld grass 

bay grass 

nit grass 

Yorkshire fog 

swamp millet 

sand dune wind grass 

New Zealand wind 

grass 

hares tail grass 

Italian ryegrass 

perennial ryegrass 

Lolium rigidum 

Microlaena avenacea 

Microlaena stipoides 

Oplismenus hirtellus subsp. 

imbecilus 

Parapholis strigosa 

Paspalum dilatatum 

Paspalum vaginaturn 

Pennisetum clandestinum 

Phalaris aquatica 

Phleum pratense 

Poa anceps 

Poa annua 

Poa pratensis 

Polypogon monspeliensis 

Rytidosperma penicillatum 

Rytidosperma racemosum 

Schedonorus phoenix 

Setaria gracilis 

Spinifex sericeus 

Sporobolus africanus 

Stenotaphrum secundatum 

Vulpia bromoides 

Other monocot herbs 

Agapanthus praecox 

Allium vineale 

Apodasmia similis (formerly 

Leptocarpus simplex} 

Astelia solandri 

Collospermum hastatum 

Dianella nigra 

Gladiolus undulatus 

Hedychium gardnerianum 

Phormium tenax 

Triglochin striata 

Tradescantia fluminensis 

Typha orientalis 

Watsonia bulbillifera 

Zantedeschia aethiopica 

patiti 

kowhangatara 

oioi 

kowharawhara 

kahakaha 

turutu 

harakeke 

raupo 

annual ryegrass 

bush rice grass 

meadow rice grass 

slender panic grass 

slender barb grass 

paspalum 

saltwater paspalum 

kikuyu grass 

phalaris 

timothy grass 

annual poa 

Kentucky bluegrass 

annual beard grass 

danthonia 

danthonia 

tall fescue 

knot root bristle 

grass 

silvery sand grass 

ratstail 

buffalo grass 

hair grass 

agapathus 

wild onion 

coastal jointed rush 

perching lity 

perching lily 

NZ blueberry 

wild gladiolus 

Kahili ginger 

NZ flax 

arrow grass 

wandering jew 

bulrush 

Watsonia 

arum lily 

Records of lower plants 

Mosses (incorporating records from Peter 

Beveridge 24 26 March 2002) 

Achrophyllum dentatum 

Calomnion complanatum 

Camptochaete angustata 

Camptochaete arbuscula 

Camptochaete pulvinata 

Campylopodium medium 

Campylopus clavatus Colonies in scrubland. 

Campylopus introflexusThismoss occurs in 

patches on bare shallow soil in manuka 

scrub. 

Catharomnion ciliatum 

Cryphaea chlorophyflosa 

Cyathophorum bulbosum 

Dicranoloma menziesii 

Ditrichim difficile 

Distichophyllum pulchellum 

Echinodium hispidum Growing in large 

colonies near streams on the forest 

floor mainly on exposed tree roots in 

dark taraire forest. Dark green colour. 

Fissidens curvatus var. curvatus 

Fissidens leptocladus 

Fissidens linearis var. angustifolius 

Fissidens taxifoilus Form green tufted 

carpets on earth banks beside tracks. 

Fissidens tenellus var. australiensis 

Fissidens tenellus var. tenellus 

Hypnodendron arcuatum Beside streams in 

shady forest forming extensive colonies. 

Hypnum chrysogaster 

Hypnum cupressiforme 

Hypopterygium rotulatum A small umbrella 

moss growing in conspicuous clumps on 

the forest floor. Ume green colour. 

Leptostomum macrocarpon pincushion 

moss. Forms large clumps on the stems 

of nikau palms Cascade stream where it 

enters the Poukaraka Wetland. 

Liverworts 

Aneura alterniloba Forming thick green rather shapeless thalli on damp banks. 

Archilejeunea o/ivaceaTaralre tree bark. 

Heteroscyphus coalitus Commonly forming mats on damp ground beside tracks in the taraire forest. 

Heteroscyphus furcistipulus Commonly forming mats on damp ground beside tracks in the taraire forest. 

Lepidolaena clavigera Epiphytic with lichens on taraire bark. 

43 

Leucobryum candidum"milk moss". 

Occasional patches on the ground in 

forest and scrub. 

Macrocoma tenue 

Macromitrium gracile 

Orthorrhynchium elegans 

Papillaria crocea 

Philonotis tenuis 

Ptychomnion aciculare Abundant colonies on 

the ground in manuka and kanuka 

areas. 

Racopilum convolutaceum On damp rocks 

above Cascades. 

Rhaphidorrhynchium amoenum 

Rhynchostegium tenuifolium 

Thamnobryum pandum Damp shady stream 

banks 

Thuidium furfurosum Common in grassy open 

areas on the edge of tracks. 

Thuidium sparsum 

Wijkia extenuata 

Zygodon minutus

Lepidolaena taytorii Epiphytic in soft light green mats on trunks of taraire. 

Pallavicinia xiphoides in tufts at edge of stream delta of Cascade Stream. 

Plagiochila gregaria Toothed leaves. Male and female plants look different. Male has reduced branches. On damp rocks at Cascades. 

Porella elegantula A beautiful quite large liverwort endemic to New Zealand. Generally epiphytic. It can occur in flat clumps several cm 

across. Individual stems are up to 10 cm long pinnate. Olive green brown. On damp banks near the Cascades and on dead branches 

in the Cascades Stream delta. 

Radula marginata On bank along the Tarata Track. 

Riccardia crassa Damp stream bank in delta of the Cascade Stream. 

Schistochila balfouriana Clothing dark shady stream bank in bush along the Tarata Track. 

Symphyogyna Hymenophyllum Damp shady places on stream banks. 

Symphyogyna tenuinervis Forms patches in damp shaded places near stream banks usually with the moss Hypnodendron arcuatum. 

Trichocolea mollissima On ground in scrubland commonly with the moss Thuidium furfurosum. 

Lichens 

We have not yet studied the lichen flora in any detail but have 

noted the following: 

Chrysothrix candelaris A yellow powdery paint like lichen common 

on kanuka trunks. 

Cladina confusa reindeer lichen. It occurs on the ground in open 

scrubland. 

Cladonia ramulosa Clay margins of Central track. 

Parmotrema chinense Colonlser of bark. 

Peltigera dolichorhiza Blackish crusts on damp ground. 

Pseudocyphellaria sp. On a fallen taraire. 

Ramalina celastri Fruticose. Common on shore ribbonwood twigs. 

Sticta latifrons Foliose. On dead branches and the bark of trees. 

Teloschistes chrysophthalmus Fruticose. Golden or orange yellow. 

Commonly epiphytic on mangroves and shore ribbonwood. 

Usnea sp. Fruticose. Epiphytic on trees. 

Xanthoria parietina Yellow crusts on twigs of trees near the sea. 

Eumycota (True Fungi) 

Studies of fungi have not before been 

reported for Waiheke Island. During the 

course of preparing this article the authors 

made a start on identifying the many and 

diverse forms of fungi to be found at 

Whakanewha. 

Agaricus arvensis horse or snowball 

mushroom. On Poukaraka Rats. 

Agaricus campestris var. field mushroom. 

Found in grassland on Poukaraka Rats 

in autumn. 

Agrocybe parasitica tawaka poplar 

mushroom. A partial veil covers the 

gills of the young mushroom when 

young and breaks away as the cup 

expands to its full extent leaving a 

dark brown pendulous ring. On the 

dead wood of tawa above the Tarata 

Track and at the base of a mangaeo 

above the Cathedral Track. 

Amanita nothofagi Edge of Cathedral Track. 

Aseroe rubra flower fungus. Member of the 

stinkhorn family. Upright white stem 

pink to reddish coloured arms 

spreading horizontally at the top. 

Growing from the ground in the 

mamangi forest at the top of the 

Central Track and Poukaraka Rats. 

Auricularia polytrichahakeka ear fungus 

wood ears. Light to dark brown 

leathery ear shaped fruiting bodies. 

Abundant on rotting wood throughout 

the Park. 

Beauveria bassiana sugar icing fungus a 

species that parasitises insects killing 

them by feeding on their internal 

organs. On cicadas in broadleaf forest 

above the Cathedral Track and bank of 

the Cascades Stream. 

Biscogniauxia Capnodes var. rumpens 

(=Hypoxylon nummularium). A 

charcoal black crust or sheet on wood 

black in section having the appearance 

of charred wood. Common on dead 

hardwood branches. 

Bovista sp. A type of puffball. Found in 

open grassland/herbfield bottom of 

Central Track and the firebreak below 

Bella Vista Rd. 

Calocera cornea Yellow fingers growing 

from dead logs at the bottom of the 

Upland Track and a small kauri stand 

above Cascades Stream. 

Ca/vatia cyathiformis lilacpuffball. 

Campground. 

Calvatia gigantea giant puffball. Recorded 

growing in deep mulch on Poukaraka 

Rats in 2000. 

Camarophyllus apricosus Anorange wax 

gill. A colony above the Cascades 

Stream. A yellow unidentified wax gill 

also seen. 

Clavaria sulcata fairy clubs or flame fungus. 

Bright salmon pink clubs irregular in 

shape up to 70mm height growing from 

the ground. Found in mapou mamangi 

forest above the Tarata Track 

broadleaf forest above Tarata Track 

and Cascades Stream and on the edge 

of the Upland Track (Omiha Reserve) 

at the entrance to the Park. 

Conchomyces bursaeformis White flat thin 

kidney shaped fungus attached laterally 

to dead branches in broadleaf forests in 

the Park. 

Cookeina colensoi cup fungus. Small (10 

15mm dia 5 10mm height) shallow 

cup shaped fungi deep pink when 

young becoming lighter pink with age 

attached to wood by short pleated 

stem. On rotting wood in broadleaf 

forest above the Cathedral Track and 

Cascades Stream. 

Coprinus micaceus mica or glistening ink 

cap. A cluster found on a dead taraire 

in the south eastern corner of the Park 

and one above the Cathedral Track. 

Coprinus plicatilisJapanese umbrella. 

Mushroom to 50mm high cap folded 

like a fan. Growing from the ground in 

kanuka forest above Tarata Track. 

Crepidotus sp. A small white species with 

brown gills when old and brown spore. 

Found on nikau fronds in the Cascades 

Stream. 

Crinipellis procera horsehair. Stiff hair like 

stem with tiny brown cap. Found 

growing on twigs and taraire leaves off 

the Tarata Track and Cathedral Track. 

Crucibulum laeve birdsnest fungus. Small 

cream coloured cup shaped fungus 

with egg like pore bodies inside the 

cup. In mixed forest above Cathedral 

Track and plantings outside the Park 

office. 

Cyclomyces tabacinus. Bracket fungus with 

bands of brown turning black with age. 

On rotting wood throughout the Park. 

Cyptotrama asprata Orange yellow cup with 

shaggy spine like surface white gills 

shaggy yellow stem 20 30mm 

diameter and height. One seen on a 

twig in ground litter edge of Tarata 

Track. 

Didymium squamulosum. A small spherical 

fruiting body with or with out a stalk 

0.3 to 1 mm diam. When stalked to 1.5 

mm high. Grey in colour. 

Entoloma ? procerum Several in Cascades 

area. 

Favolaschia calocera orange pore fungus. A 

small but conspicuous tropical species 

forming colonies on the dead and 

rotting wood of a wide range of native 

and exotic species throughout the Park 

including the dead wood on living trees 

and leaves in ground litter. 

Ganoderma aff. applanatum Hoof or shelflike 

bracket. Scattered throughout the 

Park. 

Ganoderma australe perennial bracket 

fungus artist's conk. Shelf like bracket 

scattered throughout the Park. Some 

large old brackets bottom of Cascades 

Stream and on pa site. 

Hericium coralloides pekepeke kiore 

fungus icicles. Much branched white 

coral like fungus growing on dead 

wood. At base of Cascades Stream and 

fallen in ground litter above the Tarata 

Track. 

Hypholoma fasciculare sulphur tuft. A 

group on the bank of the Cascades 

Stream. 

Ileodictyon Cibarium white basket or lattice 

fungus. Found on the edges of tracks 

in autumn particularly in clay. 

Isaria {Cordyceps} sinclairii vegetable 

cicada fungus a species that 

parasitises cicada larvae growing from 

the ground beside the Upland Track. 

Junghuhnia (= Flaviporus) brownii Aflat 

sheet with bright yellow pore surface a 

distinctive species not commonly 

found. Growing on the underside of a 

rotting kanuka log at the bottom of the 

Upland Track. 

Lycoperdon sp. common puffball. Scattered 

throughout the Park. 

44

Macrolepiota clelandii parasol mushroom. mushroom. On fallen tree above the branched fans. A colony growing from 

Margins of the northern wetland. Cascades Stream. Other Pleurotus soil among moss on a shady damp 

Macrolepiota rachodes shaggy parasol species seen but not identified. bank of the Cascades Stream 

mushroom. On office planting mound. Podoscypha petalodes wine glass fungus. Stereum complicatum. Small rosettes 

Notholepiota areolata. A white pouch Cap thin with different coloured bands attached in the centre with a ruffled 

fungus. Stream bank of the upper of brown and ruffled margins formed margin. On fallen tree above Cascades 

reaches of the Cascades Stream. into a wine glass shape stem short. On Stream. 

Ottilia delicatula A small orange cup buried wood edge of Cathedral Track. Stereum fasciatum Bracket fungus in 

fungus. On fallen trees in broadleaf Psathyrella sp. A pair in ground litter above shades of yellow and orange. A 

forest above Cathedral Track and bank the Tarata Track. collection on a dead log at base of 

of Cascades Stream. Pycnoporus coccineus An orange bracket. Cascades Stream. 

Oudemansiella australis This mushroom is On dead manuka at the south eastern Trametes versicolor rainbow bracket 

white all over and often its white comer of the Park. Conspicuous bracket in many shades of 

spores can be seen coating the wood Rosellinia sp. Tiny black sphere topped by a brown on dead wood scattered 

underneath. In broadleaf forest above nipple like bump. A colony on dead throughout the Park. 

Tarata Track. wood in broadleaf forest above Tylopilus formosus Edge of Cathedral 

Paurocotylis pila Small bright red potato Cathedral Track. Track. 

like fungus without a stem growing Russula acrolamellata a yellow brown Weraroa virescens blue pouch fungus 

from the ground along tracks in the russula. Common in kanuka forests. Edge of the Upper Cascades Track. 

Park. Russula griseoviridis a green russula. Cap Xeromphalina tenuipes Cap orange brown 

Phellinus robustus A woody cinnamon grey green with persistent filmy stem yellow brown gills pale cream no 

brown hoof shaped bracket turning patches. A group of four in kanuka ring. On fallen hardwood trees south 

black at the lower part of the fruiting forest in the south eastern corner. eastern corner and bottom of Upland 

body. Two seen attached to fallen Russula macrocystidiata purple russula. In Track. 

manuka wood at the south eastern kanuka forest at the top of the Central Xylaria hypoxylon candlesnuff or stags horn 

corner of the park. Track and in the south eastern corner. fungus. 20 25mm high branched 

Physarum lateritium. A small spherical Scutellinia badioberbis an eyelash cup finger like stalks white tips grading to 

fruiting body 0.3 to 0.7 mm diam with fungus. A colony on a fallen tree above black at the base. Colonies found 

no stalk. Orange to red in colour Cascades Stream. scattered throughout the Park on dead 

Pleurotus djamor { P. opuntiae) oyster Stereopsis hiscens Small white erect tree stumps. 

Hypopterygium rotulatum a small umbrella moss growing in conspicuous clumps on the forest floor. 

Whakanewha regional Park Waiheke Island. 9 January 2002. 

Myxomycetes (Slime Moulds) 

Myxomycetes are generally cosmopolitan in distribution and the particular species found in an area depend on available moisture and 

habitat (Ing 1999). Specimens were collected on 10 April 2002 and later identification by Clive Shirley. 

Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa Sporocarps effused up to 10 cm long white finger like to 4 mm high sparsely branched. A colony on decaying 

wood above Tarata Track. 

Hemitnchia calyculata Stalked sporangia found in small groups 1 3 mm high 0.5 1 mm diam. yellow to ochraceous. On decaying 

wood bank of the Cascades Stream. 

Hemitrichia Serpula Sporocarp to 15 mm long much branched and netted to 0.6 mm wide yellow. Capillitium elastic coiled yellow tubes. 

On nikau petiole Cascades Stream. 

Lycogala epidendrum Sporocarp aethalia clustered cushion shaped 4 7 mm diam. dark grey. On decaying wood Cascades Stream. 

45

Hemitrichia Serpula Sporocarp to 15 mm long much branched and netted to 0.6 mm wide yellow. Capillitium elastic coiled yellow tubes. 

On nikau petiole Cascades Stream. 

Lycogala epidendrum Sporocarp aethalia clustered cushion shaped 4 7 mm diam. dark grey. On decaying wood Cascades Stream. 

Perichaena depressa Sessile sporangia flattened closely packed to adjacent sporangia becoming angular at point of contact. 1 1.5 mm 

across dark brown to black. Capillitium yellow released from edge of sporangia. On nikau petiole Cascades Stream. 

Physarum bogoriense Forms elongate plasmodiocarps in small groups dull yellow to brown 0.3 0.6 mm wide. Splitting along a line of 

dehiscence to revel inner iridescent layer and spore mass with white lime crystals. On nikau petiole Cascades Stream. 

Physarum globuliferum Stalked sporangia accruing in large numbers common spherical 0.4 0.7 mm diam 0.8 1.5 mm tall. White to 

pale grey with white stalk. On nikau petiole Cascades Stream. 

Physarum nutan. Stalked sporangia accruing also in large numbers common nodding lens shaped 0.4 0.7 mm diam. to 1.5 mm tall 

white or pale grey with a dark stalk twice the diam of the sporangium. On nikau petiole Cascades Stream. 

Physarum sp. (unidentified) On decaying wood Cascades Stream. 

Physarum sp. (unidentified) On nikau petiole Cascades Stream. 

Stemonitis sp. (unidentified) In leaf litter and soil Cascades Stream. 

References 

Anon. 1996: Whakanewha Regional Park. Background Information. 

Auckland Regional Council Parks Service. 52 pp. 

Beever J. 1995: Mosses of Waiheke Island Hauraki Gulf Northern 

New Zealand. Tane 35:113 120. 

Chappie Don; Ebbett Rachel; Kitson Ivan 2001: Greening our Gulf 

Islands. A manual for native revegetation with special reference 

to Waiheke. D. Chappie Hekerua Bay Waiheke Island. 52 p. 

Clunie N. NI. U. 1992a: The Whakanewha Block Waiheke Island: 

The Vegetation and Potential Impacts of Developments. Report 

for Auckland City Council. Clunie & Associates. 10 pp. 

(unpublished). 

Clunie N. M. U. 1992b: Estuarine Wetlands Bordering the Beach at 

Half Moon Bay Waiheke Island. Report for Auckland City 

Council. Clunie & Associates. 6 pp. (unpublished). 

Clunie N. M. U. 1992c. Kanuka Stands on the Whakanewha Block 

Waiheke Island. Report for Auckland City Council. Clunie & 

Associates. 9 pp. (unpublished). 

Cutting Marjorie; Green Chris 1992: Ecological Assessment of the 

Whakanewha Block Waiheke Island Without Prejudice. 

Auckland Regional Council and Department of Conservation 

Auckland Conservancy. 7 pp. (unpublished). 

Day D. 1989: Waiheke Pioneers. Waiheke Historical Society. 

Gardner R. 0.1995: Survey of Three Wetlands in Whakanewha 

Regional Park. Report to Regional Parks Auckland Regional 

Council. 10 pp. (unpublished). 

Fitzgibbon T. D.; Slaven D. C. 1988: Sites of ecological 

significance Waiheke Island. Department of Conservation 

Northern Region Tech. Report Series No. 2.133 p. 

Ing B. 1999: The Myxomycetes of Britain and Ireland Richmond 

Publishing. 

Kirk T. 1878: Notes on the botany of Waiheke Rangitoto and 

other islands in the Hauraki Gulf. Transactions and Proceedings 

of the New Zealand Institute 11:444 454. 

Lee M. 1999: Biota of seven islets off Waiheke Islands Inner Hauraki 

Gulf. Tane 37:99 136. 

Monin P. 1992: Waiheke Island a history. The Dunmore Press 

Palmerston North. 229 p. 

White P. 2000: Onetangi Reserve Management Plan. Hauraki 

Islands Branch Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of NZ. 

Acknowledgements 

The authors have compiled the species list from their own field work aided by earlier reports on the Whakanewha Park by Nigel Clunie and 

Rhys Gardner the draft species list (Anon. 1996) compiled by Brenda Greene Tom Stein Colin Ogle and Andy Spence and by 

additions recorded by the Botanical Society group in November 2001. Peter Beveridge is kindly thanked for his contribution to the moss 

records John Braggins for his help in identifying liverworts Peter Johnston and Peter Buchanan of Landcare Research for their 

identification of some fungi specimens and Clive Shirley for identification of slime moulds. 

Coastal fringe of flax {Phormium tenax) and nikau palm (Rhopalostylis sapida). 

Whakanewa Regional Park Waiheke Island. 5 Jan 2002. 

46

Botanical features of Whakanewha Regional Park Waiheke Island

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