General Notes on Swamps and Water Plants in Westland, 29Th June
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BOTANY DIVISION DSIR REPORT GENERAL NOTES l.JN SWAlfS ANC WATER PLANTS IN ~JETLAND, 29TH JUNE - 11TH JULY 1953 N.T. MOAR BCTANY DIVISION, DSIR 23 JULY 1953 Information in this unpublished report should not be used without approval of the Director of Botany Division and the author .. GENERAL NOTES ON SWAMPS AND WATER PLANTS IN WESTLAND 29th June - llth July 1953 N.T. Moar Botany Division, DSIR 23 July 1953 SUMMARY These notes were made while studying silver pine swamps in the district. Plant communities swamp and water plants General notes on Swamps and Water Plants in Westland, 29th June - llth July 1953 Notes on the location of lakes, lagoons and swamps were made in the course of work in connection with silver pine "swamps", as these may be useful when visiting the district in connection with the swamp and water plant bulletin. Bruce Bay Myriophyllum (propinquum?) was noted in a roadside drain. In the vicinity of Lake Kiui a species of Nitella was observed growing in a stream 2'-3' deep. Pakihis in this area were also examined (see later). Okarito Nothing could be observed here as we arrived after dark, and left soon after day-break. Pakihis between Okarito and the Forks were noted in passing. Cladium teretifolium was dense over large area on one beside the road, and Hypolaena laterifiora and Gabnia· sp. were frequent on a pakihi lying behind a silver pine area. Access to.both areas is easy. Hari Hari In State Forest 41 (access from road running beside Wanganui River) Polamogeton suboblangus was growing in muddy water between sleepers of the tram-line. A specimen of this was collected. Swamps and sluggish streams alongside a back road running from Wanganui Flat Road to the Poerua River were frequent. In one pool a broad leaved aquatic (Nympha sp.?) was seen. The sluggish streams were frequently full of plants, but no close observations were made. In Black Creek (access from Foster's farm at the road end beside the Poerua River) Potamogeton cheesemanii and Myriophyllum propinquum were noted. Roadside drains and pools just south of Hari Hari township appeared to be worthy of a careful examination. · Lake Ianthe A brief examination was made along the eastern shore of L. Ianthe. Isoetes alpinus was found washed up on the narrow gravel beach. Leptocarpus simplex was noted growing around the shore, and a species of Chara (possibly gymnopitys) was growing in shallow water. Specimens of Isoetes and Chara were collected. Ross A large swamp, Shearer swamp, was noted about two miles south of Ross. This is of easy access. Rimu and Woodstock A narrow road between Rimu and Woodstock running towards the coast, and formed on dredge tailings was traversed. Along this road there were many pools and swampy areas in which were various aquatic plants. These would proably be worthwhile investigating. Kokatahi Pakihi, swampy areas and sluggish streams were noted. In a stream or pool beside the drive-way into J.S. Bradley's house the large leaved aquatic (Nympha sp.?) was observed. Potamogeton sp. and Myriophyllum sp. were noted growing in a roadside drain. 2. Hokitika-Greymouth Coastal swamps and lagoons, all of easy access, were noted from the train. Areas which might be worthwhile visiting were noted near Ha Ho, Arahura, Kapitea Creek, Chesterfield, Gladstone and Paroa. It was interesting to note Melianthus major growing beside the railway line, at a Gladstone timber mill. .