CHANGES IN T H E VEGETATION AND VASCULAR FLORA OF MOTUHORA (WHALE ISLAND) 1970-1986

by C .C . Ogle

Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 10420, Wellington

A B S T R A C T

Changes in the vegetation and flora of Motuhora (Whale Island) since 1970 are described. These are related to successional processes, the removal of goats from the island, fluctuations in the rabbit population, and recent fires. A revised plant list of 300 species is provided, including 144 species as newly published records from the island.

I N T R O D U C T I O N

The vegetation and flora of Motuhora were first described in detail by members of the Auckland University Field Club after visits there in 1970 (Par-ris, Lynch, and Ferguson 1971; Parris 1971). Shortly after the purchase of the island in 1984 from its private owners by the New Zealand Wildlife Service, I assessed the status of the vegetation to determine whether a re-vegetation programme was needed. A more thorough survey was made as part of the Off­shore Island Research Group's studies 28 December 1985 - 5 January 1986 (Wright 1990). The greatest changes to have occurred between 1970 and 1986 were the replacement of much of the grassland by scrub and shrublands dominated by kanuka (Kunzea ericoides) and, in places, pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) and mahoe (Melicytus ramiflorus), and, to a lesser ex­tent, bracken fern (Pteridium esculentum) and club sedge (Isolepis nodosa).

B A C K G R O U N D

The Auckland University Field Club found that in 1970 Motuhora was largely grassland with very little forest (Parris et al. 1971). This vegetation pattern was attributed to the combined effects of felling and burning, possibly during oc­cupation by Maoris, and the activities of introduced goats (Capra hircus), rab­bits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), and Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus).

M r P. Burstall, who first visited Motuhora in 1938, noted (pers. comm.) that in the period 1938-43 the south side of the island was extensively grazed by sheep which were barged to and from Whakatane. About 30% of the island's southern faces were in 'good pasture - the rest being marginal'. Sheep farming ceased in the mid-1940's. Burstall considered that this was partly through com­petition with goats; in November 1963 he was part of a team which estimated that goat numbers totalled 300 ± 50, but in 1964 over 1000 goats were removed.

As well as recording botanical observations from the above visits, this paper draws together information on changes to the island's vegetation since 1970,

Department of Conservation Scientific Paper No. 9

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Grid lines from NZMS 260 Sheet W15

Fig 1. Whale Island showing place names mentioned in text and location off North Island of New Zealand.

based largely on information in the files of the New Zealand Wildlife Service, Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, and from staff of the Wildlife Ser­vice who have visited Motuhora in the intervening period.

Major influences on vegetation, 1970-84

Goats: Goats were still present in 1970 (Parris et al. 1971). Thirteen were shot between 13 July and 2 August 1971, which were thought to be the last goats on the island (Imber 1971), but three were seen in July 1973 (Billington 1973) and two were shot in July 1977 (P. Moors, pers. comm.). Some of the animals seen in 1973 and 1977 may have been new introductions to the island.

Rabbits: Rabbits were released on Motuhora in 1968. M . Imber, who has visited the

island regularly since 1968, described some changes wrought by rabbits. In 1968-69 there was a thick mat of grass under the kanuka described as having 'above-ground runners much thinner than Kikuyu grass' (Pennisetum clan-destinum) (Imber, pers. comm.). This grass may have been meadow rice grass,

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Microlaena stipoides (C.C.O.) . Through rabbit browsing, the grass had virtually disappeared by 1972, and in some places, especially those with more sun, inkweed (Phytolacca octandra) succeeded the grass, forming dense thickets. After perhaps three or four more years much of the inkweed died off leaving bare ground which, in some areas, became occupied by kanuka. Where mahoe existed among the kanuka, the inkweed was succeeded by young mahoe. Imber considered that the survival and growth of young mahoe in the 1975-80 period were aided by the lack of grass among and under kanuka, which meant that rabbits were not using these areas.

The timing and nature of these changes in the vegetation are supported by the observations of other visitors to the island. Parris et al. (1971) noted widespread damage to vegetation by rabbits, and Wildlife Service reports documented marked differences in rabbit numbers and their damage before and after poisoning operations in Apr i l 1973, March 1974 and July 1980. In March 1973, Hogarth (1973) reported that rabbits had increased dramatically since his visit two years earlier. Palatable grasses had been eaten to the ground, leaving bare earth in many places, and pohutukawa seedlings and plants he presumed to be unpalatable, such as thistles and sweet brier (Rosa rubiginosa), had also been browsed. In Apr i l 1973, after the laying of 1080 poison (sodium monofluoroacetate), Billington (1973) saw only three rabbits in four days. Grasses and clovers had grown 'two to three inches' (50-75 mm) tall and seedl­ings of pohutukawa and mahoe were present. Six months later rabbits were increasing again (Burstall 1974). By July 1977 there was 'an extremely large population of rabbits on the island, which had greatly reduced the grass cover' (Moors 1977). Rabbits were poisoned in July 1980 with the anticoagulant poison brodifacoum (Moors 1980), and in December 1980 about 200 were shot by staff of the Bay of Plenty Pest Destruction Board.

In May 1984 we saw a number of rabbits, and all remaining areas of grassland were very closely browsed. By using a helicopter in mid-August 1985, operators dropped carrots poisoned with 1080 over the entire island, and, shortly after, a small amount of poison was laid by hand in places where fresh rabbit sign still occurred. Although no rabbits or fresh sign were found during the visit by the Offshore Island Research Group (OIRG) in December 1985-January 1986, fresh evidence of rabbits was found in Apr i l 1986 ( M McGlynn, pers. comm.).

Rats: The numbers of Norway rats on Motuhora undergo natural seasonal fluc­tuations (Bettesworth 1972) and are also affected by the periodic poisoning and trapping carried out since 1970 in nesting colonies of grey-faced petrels (Pterodroma macroptera) (Imber 1971, 1976, 1978). Bettesworth (1972) found that the rats' diet included plant foods, particularly the fruits of inkweed and grass seeds. A l l karaka (Corynocarpus laevigatus) fruit found in 1984 had been gnawed open, probably by rats, although a few intact seeds were found by M . McGlynn (pers. comm.) in February 1985, together with one seedling. Rats were seen in May 1984 only among debris at the high tide mark at night, and

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were heard in the old hut. No rats were heard or seen during OIRG's visit.

Fires: Since 1970 two fires have altered the vegetation. Both spread from pic­nic fires on or near the beach in Sulphur Bay (Fig. 1). The first, and more extensive, fire was in early January 1975 (Stack 1975). It burnt over Sulphur and Camp Valleys together with the ridge between these valleys, the lower southern and eastern faces of Pa H i l l , across the swamp to the boulder beach in the south-west, and destroyed some mature forest near the head of Camp Valley (N. Hellyer, M . Imber, pers. comm.). Fig. 2 shows Camp Valley im­mediately following this fire. ' A l l manuka [kanuka?] and about 10 to 15% of pohutukawas' were destroyed in the burnt area (Stack 1975). M . Imber has sug­gested that pampas (Cortaderia selloana) plants in the swamp re-sprouted after the fire.

Although it has not been possible to obtain details of the timing or extent of the second fire, it seems that at least the lower parts of Sulphur Valley were burnt in 1978.

T H E S U R V E Y

This paper results from my involvement in two surveys at Motuhora. The first visit was with Ted Jones, Michael McGlynn (Wildlife Service, Gisborne) and Vaughan Neill (East Coast Pest Destruction Board) between 28 May and 31 May 1984, the second with members of O I R G 28 December 1985 - 5 January 1986 (Wright 1990).

The vegetation and flora were examined and compared with the published accounts of Parris et al. (1971), and Parris (1971). A 1957 aerial photograph (NZ Aerial Mapping Ltd.; Survey 894, photo no. D2, D3; scale 1: 3960) was also used to detect vegetation changes. Specimens of all previously unrecord­ed species were gathered and lodged with the Auckland Museum, which also has the 1970 collections. Because of the difficulties in identifying grasses in situ in rabbit-browsed turfs in 1984, small sections of the turf were removed from Camp Valley and grown in pots in my garden in Wellington. During OIRG's visit, many of the party contributed information on distribution of species, including previously unrecorded species.

RESULTS

(A) T H E F L O R A

The combined list of vascular plants from Parris (1971), the 1984 survey, and the OIRG's visit (Appendix 1) totals 300 species and subspecies, and six hybrids. About 193 species are indigenous to New Zealand, 64% of the island's flora. Taking into account changes resulting from corrections to the identifica­tion of several specimens from the 1970 survey and from re­cent taxonomic revisions, 145 (92%) of the taxa found in 1970 were still pre-

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Fig. 2. Looking north up Camp Valley, with the base of Pa Hill on the left; January 1975, immediately after an extensive fire. Ground cover was burnt between the pohutukawa shrubs, although most of these shrubs survived, as can be seen in Fig. 3. Photo: N. Hellyer.

Fig. 3. The same view as in Fig. 2., 1982. The young kanuka in the foreground was mostly 1-2 m tall by May 1984. Sedges in the centre of the view probably re-sprouted from stem bases which survived the 1975 fire. Photo: M . Harrison.

sent in the 1984-86 period. Apart from probable errors in identification there remain ten species (one of them exotic) which have not been found since Parris (1971) recorded them on the island. In 1984, 44 species and four hybrids were added to those listed or collected in 1970, and a further 95 species were added in 1986. Five species were added by other observers in the 1980-85 period. A number of the species found in one or two but not all three surveys are her­baceous annuals, mostly exotic in origin, and hence might not be permanent members of the island's flora. Other plant species, although probably present, were undoubtedly hard to recognise in August 1970 or in May 1984, but sum­mer growth and flowering and the apparent absence of rabbits in early 1986 made their presence more obvious. Some not re-located in 1984-86 were mangeao (Litsea calicaris), five finger (Pseudopanax arboreus), Lycopodium cernuum, the 12 adult plants of Pomaderris ericifolia, renga lily, (Arthropo-dium cirratum) and also the tree of kohekohe (Dysoxylum spectabile) on Pa H i l l . These might have been lost to goats, rabbits, fires or successional changes. However, a dense cover of tall plants, kanuka and bracken in par­ticular, made examination of some areas difficult in 1984-86. A solitary tree of mangaeo was found in 1987 (Appendix 1).

A number of additions in 1984-86 resulted from searching areas which receiv­ed little or no attention in 1970, such as the coastal cliffs between Sulphur Bay and McEwans Bay and those at the extreme eastern end of the island, and the forest remnants around the island's summit.

1. Native Species Judging from the large size of individual plants, four previously unrecorded

species of native woody plants must have gone undetected, rather than have not been present, in 1970. These are karo (Pittosporum crassifolium), of which at least 30 trees and a few seedlings are present along the southern cliffs; kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum), represented by two 4 m trees near the sum­mit; Coprosma macrocarpa, which occurs in a number of sites; and Metrosideros carminea, of which there are several sprawling shrubs near the main summit. Assessment of the distribution and abundance of Coprosma macrocarpa was hindered by the presence of hybrids between it and C. robusta.

Two additional karaka trees were found, one on Pa H i l l and one on the southern cliffs, giving a total of five karaka trees on the island. Although the solitary tree of kohekohe seen by Parris (1971) could not be found, six previously unrecorded kohekohe trees were found near the main summit. More specimens of houpara (Pseudopanax lessonii), tutu (Coriaria arborea), and broadleaf (Griselinia lucida) were found than previously reported. More than 20 flax (Phormium tenax) plants were found on the eastern, steep cliffs of Pa Hil l and one in McEwans Bay dunes, but only one plant was seen in 1970. Five of the previously unrecorded herbaceous species deserve special mention since they are either uncommon nationally, or Motuhora represents major extensions to their recorded distributions.

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(i) Asplenium northlandicum Ogle (1987). (A. obtusatum subsp. northlan-dicum (Brownsey 1977)): this fern's distribution was recorded by Brownsey (loc. cit.) as being between Three Kings Islands and Slipper Island off the Coromandel Peninsula. It is not uncommon on the low, eastern cliffs of Motuhora and a few occur near the base of steep sea-cliffs on the north side of the main peak. Motuhora is about 140 km south-east of Slipper Island.

(ii) Asplenium haurakiense Ogle (1987) (A. flaccidum subsp. haurakiense Brownsey (1977)): Brownsey (1977) noted that the southern limit of this fern was Motuhora, possibly from material collected by Parris, who listed only one taxon under A. flaccidum. A. flaccidum sensu stricto is on Whale Island also, and is mostly epiphytic, but is occasionally terrestrial. Asplenium haurakiense is confined to rocks on coastal cliffs.

(iii) Asplenium terrestre subsp. maritimum: P. Brownsey found this fern dur­ing the O I R G survey, growing on Motuhora's southern cliffs with Asplenium haurakiense. The former species was known previously from the Taranaki coast southwards, and from Auckland's west coast (Brownsey 1977); this is the first record of these two predominantly coastal Asplenium species occurring sympatrically.

(iv) Hypolepis dicksonioides: Brownsey and Chinnock (1984) note that this large fern occurs locally between North Cape and Marlborough Sounds. At least six patches were found on the island in the 1984-86 period (Appendix 1).

(v) Myosotis spathulata: known from Three Kings to Stewart Island, but very local (Allan 1961). It was locally common in open pohutukawa forest on the eastern side of Pa Hi l l , growing with Plantago raoulii, Carex flagellifera and Echinopogon ovatus.

2. Introduced Species The severe modification of Motuhora's vegetation has provided opportunities

for establishment of many introduced plants. Some were probably deliberate­ly sown or planted, such as pasture grasses, clovers, and Amaryllis belladona. The majority comprises annual or biennial species which are unlikely to be more than minor or temporary components of the island's vegetation until a native scrub and forest cover returns. Extremely low numbers of rabbits late in 1985 allowed a number of palatable species to establish, some being unknown on the island previously, while others had been very uncommon there. Although this flush of new growth is widespread, there are some local concentrations, such as those under trees which are evidently bird roosts, particularly along the southern cliff tops which face the mainland. These tend to be species with succulent fruits, such as nightshades (Solanum spp.), garden asparagus (Asparagus officinalis), and barberry (Berberis glaucocarpa).

The boulder bank at the island's south-west extremity is a site where many new exotic plants have established recently. Bathurst bur (Xanthium spinosum), boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum), fathen (Chenopodium album), docks (Rumex

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conglomerates, R. obtusifolius), redroot (Amaranthus powellii), storksbill (Erodium sp.), dove's foot (Geranium molle), apple of Peru (Nicandra physalodes), Indian doab (Cynodon dactylon), summer grass (Digitaria sanguinalis), and smooth witch grass (Panicum dichotomiflorum) are species found there and only rarely elsewhere, or not at all. The reasons for this local concentration of adventive plants are in doubt. The boulder bank contains much storm-cast driftwood, is a roost for gulls and shags, and is a nesting site for black-backed gulls (Larus dominicanus).

The means of arrival for more widely spread plants can be surmised in some instances. Moth plant (Araujia sericifera), pampas (Cortaderia selloana), Epilobium ciliatum, and many composite weeds presumably arrived by wind-carried seed, while fruits of walnut (Juglans sieboldiana), sea kale (Cakile eden-tula) and possibly tree lupin (Lupinus arboreus) drifted in the sea. Native spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides) may be a recent arrival through sea dispersal also.

Introduced species which could have long-term impacts on the island's in­digenous character are mostly woody plants which can maintain or expand their numbers among native scrub, or in sites which, in their natural condi­tion, would have sparse or low-growing vegetation - dunes, wet areas, boulder beaches, thermal areas, and cliffs. Species of concern which have already established on the island are boxthorn, barberry, sweet briar, hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), moth plant, tree lupin, and thorny acacia (Acacia paradoxa), The two known plants of thorny acacia were removed late in 1984, but 13 seedlings were removed in January 1986 from the site which the parent plants had occupied. Clearly, these established once rabbit browsing pressure had been reduced, and more plants can be expected there from the reservoir of acacia seed in the soil. The herbaceous species with the greatest potential for long-term impact is probably pampas, which is becoming a major compo­nent of the vegetation in the swamp and young plants were found in grassland and on cliffs.

Nephrolepis cordifolia deserves special mention as the first recorded oc­currence of this introduced fern in a thermal habitat in New Zealand. A large colony of Nephrolepis was found in July 1985 by M . J . Imber of the New Zealand Wildlife Service (Ogle 1986). It was associated with a steam vent on the main peak, well-removed from Sulphur Valley, the large area of thermal activity area of the island. This colony was rediscovered in January 1986 and also a smaller one nearby. These plants were found to possess 'tubers'. As in­dicated by Brownsey et al. (1985), the presence of 'tubers' is characteristic of a species of Nephrolepis which was introduced to New Zealand as a garden plant. This contrasts with the native species of Nephrolepis which occurs in thermal areas, but which has never been found to possess tubers.

(B) V E G E T A T I O N C H A N G E S

I observed the following differences in the island's vegetation between my

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Fig. 4. View of Camp Valley in July 1970, looking south to Boulder Bay dunes, swamp, and boulder spit; lower flank of Pa Hill on the right. Mt Edgecumbe stands out in the middle distance. Almost all of the island in this view was burnt five years later (Fig. 2). Photo: E . M . Miller.

Fig. 5. View of Camp Valley in January 1986, from the same vantage point as Fig. 4. Dense kanuka in the valley floor is traversed by a cut foot-track (c.f. Fig. 3). Ungrazed grassland in the foreground contains clumps of club sedge and quantities of Californian thistle (Cirsium arvense). The flank of Pa Hill (right) is dominated by young (3-5m) pohutukawa; the solitary pohutukawa tree visible in this area in Fig. 4 can be seen here as a standing dead trunk, perhaps killed in the fire of 1975. The right-hand building is a hut constructed in late 1984-85; the structure on the left is a large tent. Photo: C . C . Ogle.

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surveys in 1984 and 1986 and that of Parris et al. (1971) in 1970:

1. There has been a progressive replacement of grassland by taller vegetation, mostly kanuka, bracken, and club sedge, either in relatively pure and extensive stands (especially in the case of kanuka) or in mosaics of the three species. The spread of kanuka into the floor of Camp Valley can be seen in Figs. 3, 4 and 5.

2. Some shrubs, mostly pohutukawa, had spread into the bracken patches and kanuka scrub. Two size classes of young pohutukawa were detected, especially on the peninsula east of McEwans Bay. The plants were not aged, but I think that those about a metre tall appeared after the poisoning of rabbits in 1973, and those 3-4m high developed after most goats were removed in 1964. The pattern may have been confused, however, by plantings of pohutukawa and cabbage trees (Cordyline australis) which occurred near McEwans Bay in the mid-1970s (N. Hellyer, W. Price, pers. comms.). The changes in vegetation cover in the McEwans Bay area over the past 15 years can be seen by comparing Figures 6 and 7.

3. Young mahoe under tall kanuka and some pohutukawa stands appear to belong to a single age-class, which gives support to Imber's observations and views cited earlier. The type lb forest of Parris et al. (1971) ('coastal forest without understorey') now has a well-developed understorey dominated by mahoe. Ageing of plants by ring-counts would provide the starting date for this regeneration. The only mahoe seedlings which we saw in 1984 were in spots inaccessible to rabbits, but there were many tiny seedlings in 1986.

4. There was less herbaceous vegetation on sand dunes in 1984, in both Boulder Bay (Fig. 4) and McEwans Bay (Fig. 6). The 1975 fire may have removed some vegetation, but browsing has probably been the main cause. Rabbit sign was common here in 1984. In 1986, there were scattered annual herbs and grasses in dune hollows, including harestail (Lagurus ovatus) and a possibly unnamed species of Wahlenbergia.

Tauhinu (Cassinia leptophylla) may be more common now on the Boulder Bay dunes than in 1970 although some were planted there in the winter of 1985 ( M . McGlynn pers. comm.). Some, such as Carexpumila and Zoysia spp., ap­parently common here in 1971, were not found in 1984, and were present in very small quantities in 1986. Dunes at Boulder Bay still lack introduced mar­ram grass (Ammophila arenaria) and tree lupins (Lupinus arboreus) which are almost ubiquitous on mainland dunes. Lupins are established and spreading on dunes in McEwans Bay, probably from the northern cliffs where lupins are locally the dominant plants.

5. In 1984, it was obvious that grasslands were being invaded by species un-

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Fig. 6. McEwans Bay (foreground) and the extreme eastern end of Motuhora, from the island's main peak, June 1969. Pohutukawa trees fringe the coast and scattered specimens occur elsewhere, mostly in rocky sites. Several ngaio trees can be recognised just beyond the sand dunes, and there are a few scattered cabbage trees in the extensive grassland. Vegetation patches on the dunes are probably of Spinifex and Isolepis nodosa. Photo: J . L . Kendrick.

Fig. 7. The same view as in Fig. 6, May 1984. The grassland has been replaced by young pohutukawa, cabbage trees, ngaio, kanuka and dense bracken. The dunes appear to have lost most of the herbaceous vegetation present in 1969, but a few pohutukawa and ngaio trees have established there. Photo: C . C . Ogle.

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palatable to rabbits, such as kanuka, bracken and Pteris tremula. As well as maintaining areas of closely-cropped grassland, rabbits were browsing less palatable plants such as Spinifex and club sedge. No browsing was seen on pohutukawa, nor on herbs such as inkweed, scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arven-sis) and a large-leaved geranium (Geranium solanderi 'coarse hairs'). Changes in the appearance of grasslands between the 1984 and 1986 surveys were the most dramatic of any vegetation type. The latter survey coincided with the flowering and seeding of most grasses and at least 19 grass species were added to those previously recorded.

In addition, some dicotyledonous herbs which were very abundant in 1986, were previously unrecorded or had been present in only small quantities: thistles (species of Cirsium, Carduus and Sonchus), legumes (Lotus and Trifolium species) and nightshades were among the most obvious examples. Apart from differences in the seasons in which the various surveys have been undertaken, the greater variety of species and increased rank growth found in January 1986 are largely the result of the poisoning of rabbits in August 1985.

6. The dominance of herbaceous, annual or biennial plants among introduced species means that there are relatively few species which it is necessary to con­trol or eradicate i f the island is to regain a largely indigenous character.

(C) R E V E G E T A T I O N P R O P O S A L S

The absence of goats means that woody vegetation will soon cover most of the remaining parts of the island which are not already in forest and scrub. If rabbits remain, this revegetation will initially involve mainly kanuka, but with isolated pohutukawa appearing, particularly in places currently occupied by bracken. If rabbits are eliminated, a more diverse woody vegetation should result, with species such as mahoe, tree fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata), karo, karaka, taupata (Coprosma repens), whau (Entelea arborescens), and perhaps even kohekehe, kawakawa, pinatoro (Pimelea urvilleana), pohuehue (Muehlenbeckia complexa) and others which are currently very rare, becom­ing established. Herbaceous species such as native spinach and flax should in­crease also.

Although no adult rewarewa (Knightia excelsa) is known on the island, a seedling was found there in January 1986. Self-introductions of species, both native and exotic, will continue. Wind, birds, and humans (on clothing and equipment) are the main dispersal agents.

To increase the rate of recovery of this richer flora, propagating materials of the following species were collected during the 1984 survey for cultivation at Matawhero nursery and eventual return to the island:

(a) seeds and/or fruits: karo, houpara, whau, flax, cabbage tree, broadleaf; (b) cuttings: tree fuchsia, kohekohe, tauhinu. Propagating material was not taken from kanuka, ngaio (Myoporum laetum),

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pohutukawa, mahoe, or hangehange (Geniostoma rupestre) because young plants of these species are already common. As noted earlier, a few intact seeds of karaka were found by M . McGlynn on Pa H i l l in February 1985 and these were taken to the Matawhero nursery. No fruit or seedlings of kawakawa were found in the period 1984-86, nor were there fruit on the kohekohe trees, although one was in flower in May 1984.

In 1985 the following species were planted on the island: tauhinu, tree fuchsia and whau (all Motuhora stock), karaka and sand convolvulus (Calystegia soldanella) (Whakatane stock). Rabbits browsed most of the first batch of karaka plants, but more were planted after the poisoning campaign in August 1985.

Because species have probably been lost from the native flora of Motuhora it is further proposed to introduce a few selected native species which were probably once on the island and which will provide fruit or nectar for birds. A l l will be grown from the nearest wild stock, from within the same ecological region; Rurima Rocks and the Whakatane coast have already been the source of some material for the Matawhero nursery.

S U M M A R Y

The vegetation of Motuhora has been greatly modified by fire and brows­ing/grazing mammals from what must have been predominantly coastal forest, with local patches of shorter vegetation on dunes, swamp and cliffs. It is now a mosaic of forest remnants, isolated trees, scrub, shrublands, fernlands and sedgelands.

Both the extent of forest and the variety of native plant species have been reduced. Some native species may have been eliminated in the last decade, and others reduced to solitary specimens or a very few individuals, with little or no regeneration in most instances.

The removal of goats, and the presence of rabbits until at least August 1985, have allowed much of the island's grasslands to become kanuka scrub, or bracken fernland, or club sedge sedgeland. When rabbit and goat numbers were low, regeneration of some otherwise palatable native shrubs, such as mahoe, apparently occurred.

Under the continued influence of rabbits the flora of most areas of woody vegetation will remain impoverished, even though scrub or forest will soon cover most of the island. Elimination of rabbits would permit the natural spread of a wider range of native forest species, and some of open areas. Exotic plants have increased in abundance and variety in the recent period of low rabbit numbers, but only a few of these have the potential to become significant, long-term elements of the island's vegetation.

Current management proposals include: a) the control of potentially serious exotic plants, b) the planting of species already on the island, using local stock; and

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c) the introduction of selected plant species not currently found on the island, but probably once present, using stock from within the same ecological region.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

For the botanical observations of other members of the 1984 survey party, members of the 1985-86 Offshore Islands Research Group expedition and M . McGlynn, C. Regnier and M. Imber I extend my sincere thanks. I am grateful to those who have supplied information on earlier changes to the island's vegetation, particularly Messrs P. Burstall, N. Hellyer, and M. Imber, of the New Zealand Wildlife Service; to Mr A.P. Druce (Botany Division, DSIR) for identification of specimens and advice on the species list; to Dr. P.J.Brownsey (National Museum) for advice on the island's pteridophytes; and to Drs A. Wright (Auckland Institute and Museum) and E . Edgar (Botany Division, DSIR) for assistance in checking plant specimens from the island, including those col­lected in 1970.

Drs M.C. Crawley, P.J. Moors, and M.J. Williams of the New Zealand Wildlife Service (now Department of Conservation) are thanked for their criticisms of the text.

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Dept of Internal Affairs, Wellington. Imber, M.J. 1971: Petrels and rats. Wildlife - a review 3: 44-46. New Zealand Wildlife Service,

Dept of Internal Affairs, Wellington. Imber, M.J. 1976: Breeding biology of the grey-faced petrel (Pterodroma macroptera gouldii).

Ibis 118: 51-64. Imber, M.J. 1978: (Unpublished). Motuhora improvements. New Zealand Wildlife Service file

34/12/5, Dept of Internal Affairs, Wellington. 2p.

32

Moore, L.B. and Edgar, E . 1970: Flora of New Zealand Volume II. Government Printer, Well­ington. 354p.

Moors, P.J. 1977: (Unpublished). Trapping and poisoning of Norway rats on Motuhora. New Zealand Wildlife Service file 34/12/5, Dept. of Internal Affairs, Wellington. 6pp.

Moors, P.J. 1980: (Unpublished). The brodifacoum poison trial on Motuhora. New Zealand Wildlife Service file 34/12/5, Dept. of Internal Affairs Wellington. 4p.

Ogle, C.C. 1986: Some observations of thermal area Nephrolepis plants. New Zealand Botanical Society Newsletter 5: 14-15.

Ogle, C . C . 1987: Taxonomic changes in Asplenium. New Zealand Journal of Botany 25(4): 591-93. Parris, B.S., 1971: The vegetation of Motuhora. Part II: species list of vascular plants. Tane 17: 39-46. Parris, B.S. 1972: The genus Doodia R. Br. (Blechnaceae: Filicales) in New Zealand. New Zealand

Journal of Botany 10: 585-604. Parris, B.S.; Lynch, P.A. and Ferguson, E.J. 1971: The vegetation of Motuhora. Part I: the plant

communities. Tane 17: 33-38. Pritchard, G.G. 1957: Experiment taxonomic studies on species of Cardamine Linn, in New Zealand.

Transactions of the Royal Society 85: 75-89. Slack, R. 1979: Motuhora. Forest and Bird 211: 11-14. Stack, D. 1975: (Unpublished). New Zealand Wildlife Service file 34/12/5, Dept of Internal Af­

fairs, Wellington, lp. Still, F. 1950: A visit to Motuhora. Wellington Botanical Society Bulletin 25: 24. Toelken, H.R. 1981: The species of Crassula L . in Australia. Journal of Adelaide Botanic Gardens

3(1): 57-90. Wright, A . E . 1990: Offshore Islands Research Group Visit to Whale Island. Tane 32: 17. Zotov, V.D. 1971: Zoysia Willd. (Gramineae) in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany

9: 639-644.

APPENDIX 1. List of vascular plant species, Motuhora

Published records of Parris (1971) and subsequent observations (mostly made in May 1984 and December 1985-January 1986) are collated, the order of flowering plant families being that of Parris, and of Pteridophytes the order of Brownsey, Given and Lovis (1985); genera and species are listed alphabetically under families. Nomenclature of indigenous species follows Allan (1961), Moore and Edgar (1970), Cheeseman (1925), Brownsey et al. (1985) and many of the combina­tions of Connor and Edgar (1987). For adventive species, names follow Healy (1984), Edgar and Healy (1980), and checklists of Dicotyledons naturalised in New Zealand, Numbers 1-17 (New Zealand Journal of Botany, volumes 16-19). Separate references are cited for species not covered by the above references. The most recent published name has been used in most instances. Comments are made on species only where surveys in 1984 and 1986 showed that changes have occurred since Parris's survey in 1970. Unless otherwise stated, '1984' means the survey by the author 28-31 May 1984, and '1986' means the survey by OIRG 28 December 1985-5 January 1986.

Abbreviations : + : species recorded by Parris, but not seen in 1984-86 period. = : recorded in 1970 and 1984-86 surveys, and status apparently unchanged since

1970 x : newly published record, from surveys 1984-86 * : exotic species

Voucher specimen numbers are for collections in herbaria of Auckland Institute and Museum (AK), the National Museum, Wellington (WELT), and Botany Division, DSIR, Christchurch (CHR).

33

N A M E STATUS

PSILOPSIDA Psilotum nudum WELT P12369

A K 173980

LYCOPSIDA Lycopodium cernuum A K 126718 L. varium WELT P12395, AK 174090

FILICOPSIDA Osmundaceae

Leptopteris hymenophylloides AK 174119

Schizaeaceae Schizaea bifida

WELT P12366, AK 126581 Pteridaceae

Adiantum cunninghamii WELT P12413, A K 174063

A. hispidulum AK 167261, 167279; WELT P12370

Cheilanthes distans WELT P12359, P12397, A K 173496

C. sieberi AK 126562, 173495

Pellaea rotundifolia s.s. AK 174003

Pteris macilenta auct. NZ (P. pendula Col.) WELT P12412, A K 126458, 167313

P. tremula WELT P12360 P. saxatilis auct. NZ. x

P. comans auct. NZ. AK 167314

Polypodiaceae Phymatosorus diversifolius

WELT P12405, AK 174071 P. scandens WELT PI 2392,

AK 173991 Pyrrosia serpens WELT P12407

Hymenophyllaceae Hymenophyllum bivalve WELT P12373, P12385

H. flabellatum WELT P12386, AK 174081

H. rarum AK 167276; WELT P12365, P12362, P12396

= ; around fumeroles and heated ground on ridge between Sulphur and Boulder Bay, in Sulphur Valley, and on west side of main peak

On two pohutukawa trees on north side of main peak (not seen on Pa Hill, c.f. Parris 1971)

x (1986); one juvenile in south-east valley of Pa Hill

x (1986); scattered under kanuka in Sulphur Valley and on ridge between there and Camp Valley (1986)

Seen in forest but not grassland (c.f. Parris 1971) Mostly on main peak and east end of Sulphur Bay, few between Boulder and Sulphur Bays, one on east side of Pa Hill; Parris (1971) recorded it as 'common throughout' but it is now rather local x(1986); patch of c.10 plants on cliff edge on north-west side of main peak; also ridge on east side of Camp Valley Scattered along east side of Camp Valley; also east of McEwans Bay in open, rocky sites (1986) Local in forest, apparently less common than in 1970 (Parris 1971) Locally common especially Pa Hill

x; J. Braggins has identified the cited specimen, collected on Pa Hill in 1984, as this hybrid; neither P. saxatilis nor P. comans are known from the island

x(1986); scattered patches on around summit, in forest and open sites

rocks

x(1986); one patch of fertile plants half­way up west side of main peak; two patches of in­fertile plants (AK 174170) in south-east valley of Pa Hill may be this species also x(1986); two patches on fallen logs in south-east valley of Pa Hill x(1984-86); patches on pohutukawa, two near summit of main hill, between Boulder and

34

H. sanguinolentum WELT P12383, AK 126453

Trichomanes venosum WELT PI 2390, A K 174146

Dicksoniaceae Dicksonia fibrosa

WELT P12375, AK 174549 D. squarrosa WELT P12411

Cyatheaceae Cyathea dealbata WELT P12404 C. medullaris WELT P12380

Thelypteridaceae Pneumatopteris pennigera

WELT P12381 Dennstaedtiaceae

Histiopteris incisa WELT P12377

Hypolepis ambigua WELT P12404.AK 126889

H. dicksonioides AK 167243, 167292; WELT P12391, P12387

Paesia scaberula WELT P12415, AK 174074

Pteridium esculentum Aspleniaceae

Asplenium flabellifolium WELT P12371, AK 173998

A. flaccidum s.s. WELT P12401; AK 126441, 174035

A. gracillimum AK 167271, 174000; WELT P12398

A. haurakiense (Ogle 1987) AK 167240, 173965, WELT P12364

A. hookerianum WELT P12394, P12384; A K 173969

A. northlandicum (Ogle 1987) AK 167283; WELT P12368

A. oblongifolium WELT P12402 A. polyodon WELT PI2403,

AK 174066

Sulphur Bays, and on north cliff at head of Camp Valley Patches on pohutukawa, rocks and fallen logs, Pa Hill and main peak x(1986); small patch on rock by trig on summit

x(1986); two on Pa Hi l l , three on main peak, in open forest and grassland

Few plants, on valley floors; this fern appears to have declined since Still (1950) said it was 'in moderate amounts in most places' and Parris (1970) said that it was locally abundant.

x; two patches at base of southern sea cliffs (1984); also in 1986, at Sulphur Bay, summit of main peak, south-east and south-west valleys of Pa Hill Common, but now much less so than bracken (c.f. Parris (1971) who stated that it was more common than bracken) Abundant in many open areas

Scattered as an epiphyte on large pohutukawa and occasionally terrestrially under scrub and forest; Parris recorded only one taxon under the name A. flaccidum, but A. flaccidum subsp. flaccidum and A. flaccidum subsp. haurakiense were noted as being present by Brownsey (1977), although the 1970 collections in A K contain only the former taxon x; two plants near summit of main hill (1984), and four more in 1986 Common terrestrially on sea cliffs, especially under tall pohutukawa Local, under forest on Pa Hill and around summit of main hill x; local, on sea cliffs at extreme eastern end of island and base of northern cliffs below main peak

35

A. terrestre subsp. maritimum WELT P12363, A K 173497

A. haurakiense x A. oblongifolium AK 167233, 167291

A. gracillimum x A. hookerianum WELT P12399, AK 174143

Dryopteridaceae Deparia tenuifolia WELT P12388,

AK 174145 Diplazium australe WELT P12406,

AK 174106 Lastreopsis glabella WELT P12389

A K 126756 L. hispida AK 173491 Polystichum richardii WELT P12414,

AK 174038 Rumohra adiantiformis WELT P12361,

AK 174148 Davalliaceae * Nephrolepis cordifolia

AK 174131

Blechnaceae Blechnum chambersii

WELT P12379; AK 126739 B, discolor

B. filiforme WELT P12382, AK 174069 5. membranaceum WELT P12378;

A K 126738 B. sp. (unnamed sp.,

B. capense agg., large lowland species with proximal pinnae reduced in size) WELT P12400; AK 126444

Doodia media subsp. australis WELT P 12409, P12410, P12376, P12367, AK 167229, 174110

DICOTYLEDONS Lauraceae

Lit sea calicaris AK 126758

Ranunculaceae Clematis cunninghamii

AK 126702, 174075

x(1986); one patch on coastal cliff, 0.5 km east of Sulphur Bay; about 4 plants among shore boulders at west end of McEwans Bay x(1984); one plant on top of southern cliffs, about 1 km east of Sulphur Bay x(1986); two plants near summit, in forest with both putative parent species

x(1986); scattered in south-east valley of Pa Hill, mostly young plants but rapidly regenerating x(1986); locally common in damp, semi-shaded sites

A few juvenile plants in south-east valley of Pa Hill and near summit of main peak x(1986); one juvenile in south-east valley of Pa Hill

x(1986); one infertile plant on ground under forest in bay on east side of Pa Hill

x; one patch about 10m x 15m, on west side of main hill on steaming ground, first reported by M.J. Imber, 17 July 1985; also a smaller patch about 25m down-slope in 1986

= (B. lanceolatum 'large form' of Parris)

+ (there seems to be no AK specimen to support this record) = ; Pa Hill and main peak

= (B. capense of Parris)

= ; specimen AK 167229, collected in May 1984, lacks hairs on the rhachis and has terminal pinnae up to 1/4 of frond length, but is otherwise more like D. media than D. squarrosa; it also has setae on its indusia, a feature not mentioned by Parris (1972) but which appears, from an examination of Doodia specimens in WELT, to be a feature of D. media but not D. squarrosa

+ (AK specimen has immature fruits); 1 tree on forest edge of Camp Valley in 1987 (P. Jansen, pers. comm.)

Few plants on Pa Hill and in south-east valley of of Pa Hill; Parris's (1971) record of C. paniculata ap­pears to have been based on C. cunninghamii

36

Ranunculus reflexus AK 174045

*R. repens

R. sardous AK 174116

Berberidaceae *Berberis glaucocarpa AK 174084

Piperaceae Macropiper excelsum

var. excelsum AK 167252

Peperomia urvilleana AK 174062

Cruciferae

*Brassica oleracea AK 174082

*Cakile edentula

Cardamine sp. (C. debilis agg. C. 'Narrow Petal' of Pritchard 1957) A K 128272, 173494

*Coronopus didymus AK 174550 *Lepidium pseudo-tasmanicum

AK 173986 Fumariaceae *Fumaria muralis AK 174085

Violaceae Melicytus ramiflorus AK 173970

Crassulaceae Crassula sieberiana s.s. A K 173522 C. tetramera A K 173511

Droseraceae Drosera peltata ssp. auriculata

AK 126711 Aizoaceae

Disphyma australe Tetragonia tetragonioides AK 174102

Caryophyllaceae *Cerastium glomeratum AK 126701

*C. fontanum subsp. triviale AK 174037, 173954

*Polycarpon tetraphyllum

Local on southern sea-cliffs (1984); scattered in most forest patches (1986) Possibly less common now than in 1970 (Parris 1971) x(1986); one flowering plant among boulders, west end of Boulder Bay

One 50mm seedling under pohutukawa, southern cliff edge east of McEwans Bay; the plant on Pa Hill in 1970 (Parris 1971) has not been re-discovered

x(1984, 1986); two 4m shrubs in forest on eastern side of summit of main peak, about 120m apart (flowering January 1986: one male, one female)

Widely scattered on cliffs under forest; perhaps more common than in 1970, but apparent scarcity then (Parris 1971) may reflect a small amount of sear­ching in such habitats

x(1986); two plants on northern sea cliffs opposite head of Sulphur Valley x(1986); not uncommon, on all sandy beaches just above drift line, flowering and fruiting = ; scattered seedlings on Pa Hill (1984); more common there in 1986, and a few near summit of main peak, both flowering and fruiting x(1986); among rocks on south coast and at west end of Boulder Bay, local x(1986); uncommon but widespread on sea cliffs

x(1986); 3 plants on top of low sea cliffs at east end of McEwans Bay

= ; large trees on summit of main peak; many 3-5m saplings under tall pohutukawa in places

Not uncommon on coastal cliffs x(1986); among pebbles in dune hollows of Camp Bay (possibly on cliffs also)

+

x(1986); two flowering and fruiting plants among boulders at west end of the swamp

One seen at head of Camp Valley in 1984; a few wide­ly scattered plants in 1986, but not on dunes (c.f. Parris 1971) x(1986); few under 2 m open kanuka on Pa Hill

One on southern cliffs (1984), not uncommon in open sites throughout (1986)

37

*Sagina procumbens AK 167260

*Stellaria media AK 174137 S. parviflora A K 167246, 173957

*Silene gallica AK 174122 Phytolaccaceae *Phytolacca octandra

Portulacaceae *Portulacca oleracea AK 174083

Polygonaceae Muehlenbeckia australis AK 167253

M. complexa AK 126723

^Polygonum persicaria AK 174109

*Rumex acetosella AK 174032

*R. conglomerate A K 174002

*R. crispus A K 174028 *R. obtusifolius AK 174095

Chenopodiaceae

Atriplex prostrata A K 174077

*Chenopodium album agg. A K 174136

C. glaucum A K 174099

Einadia (C.) allanii A K 174112, 174111(?)

Amaranthaceae

*Amaranthus powelliP. AK 173947

Sarcocornia quinqueflora AK 167273

Geraniaceae *Erodium moschatum A K 174115

*Geranium molle A K 173962 G. solanderi 'coarse hairs'

A K 167255, 126751 Pelargonium inodorum AK 167281

x; common along base of southern cliffs (1984) and many other damp, well-lit sites (1986) Few widely scattered plants x; one on stone terrace, east side of Pa Hill (1984); in 1986 there were scattered plants on Pa Hill and it was locally abundant in upper parts of main peak, forming mats on earth around petrel burrows x(1986); widely scattered but sparse, in open areas

x(1986); on boulder beach at western end of island

x(1984); one plant at edge of dunes in McEwans Bay, scrambling over ngaio tree One plant just east of McEwans Bay (1984); several there in 1986 and in the swamp x(1986); one plant, west of McEwans Bay at base of sea cliffs = ; also on southern cliffs (1984), and common in grassland of Camp Valley (1986) x(1986); one in Sulphur Bay dunes, several among rocks at west end of Boulder Bay x(1986); one in Sulphur Bay dunes (fruiting) x(1986); one juvenile among rocks at west end of Boulder Bay

x(1986); scattered plants among coastal rocks at west end of island x(1986); locally abundant among coastal rocks east of McEwans Bay and at west end of Boulder Bay x(1986); scattered plants in western end of the swamp among Juncus maritimus, and on base of sea cliffs immediately adjacent to the swamp Common on rocky cliffs in semi-shade throughout; Parris's (1971) record of Rhagodia triandra, A K 126727, appears to be based on this species, but a 1986 collection, A K 174111, could not be positively identified as E. allanii or E. triandra

(1986); one young plant among rocks at west end of Boulder Bay x(1984-86); common on sea cliffs at eastern end of island; few at base of sea cliffs on north side of main peak

x(1986); one plant among rocks at west end of Boulder Bay x(1986); among rocks at west end of Boulder Bay x; scattered among rocks and entrances to petrel burrows (1984), also common in grassland in 1986 x; about 6 seedlings scattered in kanuka scrub in Sulphur Valley (1984); widespread, especially on sea cliffs (1986)

38

Oxalidaceae Oxalis exilis A K 174164 , 173959

O. rubens A K 126761, 173953

Linaceae Linum monogynum AK 167244

Haloragaceae Haloragis erecta subsp. erecta

AK 174130

Onagraceae "Epilobium ciliatum AK 174117 E. cinereum A K 126747 E. nutnmulariifolium A K 174022 Fuchsia excorticata

Callitrichaceae Callitriche muelleri A K 167266

Thymelaeaceae Pimelea urvilleana A K 173525

Proteaceae Knightia excelsa AK 174113

Coriariaceae Coriaria arborea

Pittosporaceae Pittosporum crassifolium AK 167242

Myrtaceae Kunzea (Leptospermum) ericoides Leptospermum scoparium Metrosideros carminea AK 169710,

174108

M. excelsa M. perforata A K 173992

Tiliaceae Entelea arborescens

Malvaceae *Malva sp. (M. nicaeensis?) A K 126969 *Modiola caroliniana

Euphorbiaceae ^Euphorbia peplus

x; in moss cushions among rocks (1984), and in grassland and on cliffs in 1986 Parris's (1971) record of O. corniculata appears to be based on this species; now scattered in dunes, grassland, and on sea cliffs

x(1984-86); few plants on southern cliffs, and on western cliffs of Pa Hill

One plant on western sea cliffs on Pa Hill (1986); Parris (1971) recorded this species as 'local, grassland', but despite the abundance of apparent­ly suitable habitat the species may have declined since then

x(1986); 2 plants in grassland, Camp Valley + Occasional among rocks = ; on southern cliffs also

x(1984); in stream course on south side of Pa Hill

x(1986); 1 plant on northern cliffs to east of main peak

x(1986); one 10cm seedling, McEwans Bay (?)

= ; but locally abundant on cliffs immediately west of McEwans Bay

x(1984-86); 30 or more shrubs and trees along southern cliffs; several seedlings out of reach of rab­bits in 1984

= ; mostly on Pa Hill x; two plants near summit of main peak (M. and D. McGlynn, 1985); locally common there in 1986, in forest and over rocks in open sites

Single plants on Pa Hill and summit of main peak

Locally common, mostly in valley bottoms, and on sea cliffs west of McEwans Bay (not seen in grassland, c.f. Parris 1971). Largest tree 160mm d.b.h., and many seedlings in 1986

+ ; (AK specimen lacks flowers or fruit) Few in grassland (1984); common in grassland and open scrub (1986)

Near summit of Pa Hill (1984); scattered plants more widely in 1986

39

Rosaceae

Acaena anserinifolia A K 174050

*A. novae-zelandiae A K 167272, 126735

*Crataegus monogyna AK 174087

*Rosa rubiginosa

Leguminosae *Acacia paradoxa A K 174150

*Lotus angustissimus A K 173943

*L. pedunculatus

*L. suaveolens AK 174079

*Lupinus arboreus

*Trifolium dubium A K 167263

*T. glomeratum AK 174092

*T. re pens

*T. subterraneum AK 174556

*Vicia sativa AK 126733, 173977

Urticaceae Parietaria debilis AK 174025 Urtica ferox

Juglandaceae Vuglans sieboldiana AK 174007

Corynocarpaceae Corynocarpus laevigatas

Rhamnaceae Pomaderris ericifolia AK 126764

x(1986); few among sedges in upper parts of Camp Valley Uncommon, but widely occurring among sedges and grasses x(1986); solitary 3m tree, 100mm trunk diameter at ground level, among 3-5m pohutukawa 100m from coast at extreme east end of island (eradicated January 1986) = ; in 1984 one on beach on southern coast and one in dry water-course on south side of Pa Hill

x; first collected by M . Imber in 1980 (CHR 368861); two large sprawling shrubs 3m tall, beside the swamp; eradicated in 1984; 13 seedlings up to 250mm tall eradicated at same site in January 1986 x(1986); abundant in grassland and among open scrub, especially in Camp Valley One plant in swamp (1984); abundant around swamp and adjacent grassland on south-west slopes of Pa Hill and Camp Valley in 1986 x(1986); abundant among grass, sedges and in open scrub and on dunes, especially from McEwans Bay eastwards On northern and western sea cliffs (1984); abundant in these sites in 1986, and spreading on dunes of McEwans Bay and southern sea cliffs to west of this bay x; one plant at foot of southern sea-cliffs (1984); also scattered in grassland, especially Camp Valley (1986) x(1986); abundant in grassland and among open scrub, especially in Camp Valley Occasional in grassland (1984-86); apparently much less common than in 1970 (Parris 1971) x(1986); one plant in grassland on western ridge of Pa Hill Locally common among grass and open pohutukawa scrub to east of McEwans Bay; Parris's (1971) record of V. angustifolia appears to be based on this species

Scattered in open shrubland, mainly in upper half of main peak (1984), and probably more abundant there in 1986; also one in forest on Pa Hill in 1986

x(1986); in sand above high tide mark, 2 seedlings in Boulder Bay, 1 in McEwans Bay (all eradicated)

= ; two further trees located in 1984, one on southern cliffs, one on Pa Hill, making 5 trees in total; a 300mm seedling seen on Pa Hill in 1986

Recorded as P. phylicaefolia by Parris (1971); no mature plants have been found since, but a 20mm

40

Meliaceae Dysoxylum spectabile

Araliaceae Pseudopanax arboreus AK 126724 P. lessonii AK 126575, 174064 Schefflera digitata A K 176515

Griseliniaceae Griselinia lucida AK 174065

Umbelliferae Apium australe AK 174096

Centella uniflora AK 126741, 174098

Hydrocotyle heteromeria AK 167247

Epacridaceae Cyathodes juniperina var. AK 126709

Leucopogon fasciculatus

L. fraseri s.s. Loganiaceae

Geniostoma rupestre var. ligustrifolium Asclepiadaceae

Araujia sericifera AK 167248

Apocynaceae Parsonsia capsularis AK 126725,

167254, 174169 Rubiaceae

Coprosma macrocarpa ssp. (unnamed) AK 167280, 167245

C. repens C. robusta AK 174168, 173973

seedling was found on eastern side of Camp Valley in 1986.

One tree in forest, on eastern side of main peak in 1984; 5 further trees in forest remnants on main peak in 1986; the single tree on Pa Hill in 1970 (Parris 1971) was not re-located

+ (as Neopanax arboreum) = ; common along southern cliffs (1984-86) x(1987); single 2m shrub on forest edge at main sum­mit (M. McGlynn)

Four on Pa Hill, 20-30 in forest around summit of main peak; mostly epiphytic, a few rupestral

x^986); uncommon among coastal rocks at west end of the swamp Not re-located in Sulphur Valley (c.f. Parris 1971) but one patch on low sea cliff on south-west slope of Pa Hill (1986) x; common in damp short grassland and open mossy areas, especially in upper half of main peak (1984-86)

= ; only one plant seen in 1984, several in upper parts of Pa Hill and main peak in 1986 (2 epiphytic on pohutukawa)

= ; locally common among sprawling kanuka in parts of Sulphur Valley

= ; many young plants locally in 1986

x; two fruiting plants, one on east side of Pa Hill (1984), one between swamp and Pa Hill (M. Imber, 1985); one juvenile under ngaio trees at McEwans Bay (1986); all plants eradicated when found

Two fruiting plants on Pa Hill (1984); recorded on main peak by Parris (1971) but not located there since

x(1984-86); scattered shrubs under pohutukawa on main peak, southern cliffs and Pa Hill; Still (1950) recorded two juvenile plants of C. lucida, epiphytic on mahoe; although C. lucida may have been eliminated since by goats, Still did not mention C. macrocarpa or C. robusta in the account of his visit, and his C. lucida may be an error for one of these species; C. macrocarpa is more common than C. robusta on Motuhora

There is no voucher specimen to support the record of C. robusta from the 1970 survey; one fruiting plant was found on north side of main peak in 1986, and

41

C. macrocarpa x C. robusta A K 167278, 173499

C. propinqua x C. robusta AK 169711

*Galium aparine A K 174023 G. propinquum AK 174021 Nertera depressa (inch

N. cunninghamii) Compositae

Brachyglottis repanda s.s. *Carduus nutans AK 174097

*C. pycnocephalus AK 174114 Cassinia leptophylla

*Cirsium arvense

*C. vulgare *Conyza albida AK 126563 *Cotula australis A K 167265

*Crepis capillaris A K 174091 *Erechtites hieracifolia A K 173949 Gnaphalium audax s.s.

*G. coarctatum AK 174060 G. gymnocephalum AK 129325,

167249, (including G. collinum of of Parris (1971))

G. sphaericum AK 174006

G.(Pseudognaphalium) sp. fG. luteo-album agg., coastal sp. with basal leaves rounded at tips) AK 174160

*Hypochaeris glabra A K 173961 *H. radicata AK 167274

*Lactuca virosa AK 167264, 174059

Lagenifera pumila AK 174124, 126755

*Leontodon taraxacoides

*Mycelis muralis AK 174162

*Senecio bipinnatisectus AK 167259

S. hispidulus *S. jacobaea AK 173989

several seedlings east of McEwans Bay x; scattered shrubs with C. macrocarpa

x; one plant on Pa Hill (M. and D. McGlynn 1985), one on east side of Sulphur Bay (1986) Widely scattered plants in weedy places x(1984-86); uncommon, in open scrub + (no AK specimen has been found)

x(1986); scattered in open areas on Pa Hill and at summit of main peak x(1986); as for C. nutans, but more abundant On dunes and cliffs, though perhaps less common now than in 1970 (Parris 1971) = ; more common now than Parris (1971) suggested; much more obvious in 1986 than 1984

= (recorded by Parris as Erigeron canadense) x; three plants at base of southern cliffs (1984); scat­tered in open areas (1986) x(1986); a few plants in grassland, Camp Valley x(1986); locally common in the swamp x(1984); in grazed grassland among rocks near summit Uncommon, but widely scattered in open sites (1986) Rare in 1984, in damp mossy areas in open scrub on main peak; not uncommon in 1986 under edges of pohutukawa, especially on Pa Hill = ; one plant seen (1984); occasional in open sites (1986) = ; scattered plants in open sites throughout

x(1986); few on Pa Hill x; few plants on upper slopes of Pa Hill, in open sites (1984); more common and widespread in 1986 x; two plants just east of McEwans Bay in open areas among bracken (1984); locally common in open rocky sites (1986) Recorded as L. petiolata by Parris (1971); a few plants on southern cliffs (1984); occasional on Pa Hill (1986) Perhaps less common in 1986 than 1970 (c.f. Parris 1971), not seen in 1984 x(1986); few on northern sea cliffs of Pa Hill, one to east of McEwans Bay Occasional, mostly on mid-slopes of main peak in 1984 (presumably Parris's record of Erechtites atkin-soni (sic.) was this species; no supporting specimen was found in AK); widespread and common in 1986 x(1986); rare but widespread

42

S. lautus subsp. lautus A K 173985, 126967

S. minimus AK 126577

S. quadridentatus AK 173997

*S. sylvaticus A K 174155

*Sonchus asper A K 173948, 173951

*S. oleraceus A K 126731

*Taraxacum officinale AK 173990 *Xanthium spinosum AK 174144

Primulaceae

*Anagallis arvensis AK 174041

Plantaginaceae *Plantago australis AK 174048 *P. coronopus AK 174049 *P. lanceolata AK 174158

P. raoulii var. (narrow-leaved form) AK 167268

Campanulaceae Wahlenbergia colensoi AK 173513,

173498 *W. marginata AK 128457, 173514

1*)W. sp. (erect, fastigiate sp., with blue flowers smaller than those of W. marginata) AK 173524

Lobeliaceae Lobelia anceps

Boraginaceae *Myosotis laxa var. caespitosa

AK 167241 M. spathulata AK 167239, 174018

Solanaceae *Lycium ferocissimum AK 174156

One plant on western cliffs of Pa Hill (1984); a a few scattered plants on coastal cliffs (1986); Par-ris's record of Sigesbeckia orientalis appears to be based on a shade form of this species Uncommon, in open scrub (1984); widespread and common (1986) x(1986); locally common on northern cliffs of main peak x(1986); solitary plants in McEwans and Boulder Bays, on dunes Scattered plants in open sites (1986); plants ascrib­ed to this species appeared to be of 2 forms, one with finely-serrate and finely-crisped leaf margins, the other with irregularly fine and coarse leaf serrations and more strongly crisped leaves; More common in 1986 than 1970 (Parris 1971) or 1984 x(1986); one plant in grassland near summit x(1986); c.25 seedlings to 400mm tall in McEwans Bay dunes (eradicated); 3 larger plants among rocks at western end of Boulder Bay

Abundant in grassland and open scrub; probably more common now than in 1970 (Parris 1971)

x(1986); in head of Camp Valley and northern sea cliffs nearby

Local in 1986, mostly on ridge at head of Sulphur Valley and northern sea cliffs nearby x (1984-86); common on east side of Pa Hill, under tall pohutukawa

x(1986); scattered plants in light kanuka scrub on steep slopes with deep soil Parris's (1971) record of W. gracilis appears to be bas­ed on this species; not seen in wild in 1984 but grown in turf taken from the island (AK 169820); widespread and common in grassland and open scrub in 1986 x(1986); not uncommon in Boulder Bay dunes, a few scattered on sea cliffs elsewhere

= ; in swamp also (1984-86)

x(1984-86); small patch in stream course on south­west side of Pa Hill x; a few plants under tall pohutukawa on north-east side of Pa Hill (1984); abundant in same area (1986)

x(1986); one 500mm tall (non-fertile) bush on stones at west end of Boulder Bay, two (one juvenile, one 1.5m and fruiting) on northern sea cliffs opposite

43

*Nicandra physalodes AK 174012

*Solanum americanum AK 167235

*S. nigrum A K 167256

Convolvulaceae Calystegia sepium agg.

(pink flowers) AK 174153 C. soldanella AK 174140

C. tuguriorum AK 173993 Dichondra repens AK 126710, 174027

Scrophulariaceae Hebe stricta var. macroura

AK 174070 *Orobanche minor AK 174128 *Veronica plebeia AK 173972

Myoporaceae Myoporum laetum AK 171121

MONOCOTYLEDONS Liliaceae

Arthropodium candidum AK 174033

A. cirratum *Asparagus officinalis AK 174086 Astelia solandri

Dianella nigra Amaryllidaceae *Amaryllis belladona

Agavaceae Cordyline australis Phormium tenax AK 174151

Juncaceae Juncus gregiflorus AK 167270

J. maritimus var. australiensis A K 167228, 126754, 129318

J. pallidus AK 167282

J. planifolius AK 174105 Luzula picta s.s. AK 126760, 174058

Restionaceae Leptocarpus similis AK 174154, 174100

head of Sulphur Valley x(1986); c. 15 plants, some fruiting, on stones at west end of Boulder Bay x; one plant in swamp (1984); widespread and not uncommon (1986) Two plants near summit of Pa Hill (1984), widespread and common (1986)

x(1986); 2 or 3 in the swamp, and at McEwans Bay in dunes x(1986); small plants in dunes behind Boulder Bay (natural? some planted there in 1985, M . McGlynn, pers. comm.) = ; several in scattered sites but uncommon = ; in scrub also

= (varietal status not indicated by Parris)

x(1986); scattered plants in open sites = (1986; not seen 1984)

=, and has colonised some open areas, e.g. edge of dunes in McEwans Bay

x(1986); local on Pa Hill, under tall pohutukawa on steep eastern faces + x(1986); seedlings common under tall pohutukawa especially around cliff edges Epiphytic on pohutukawa; one on Pa Hill, not un­common around summit of main peak

x(1984); one clump in dunes at east end of Boulder Bay (c.15 kg of bulbs removed), not seen in 1986

About 20 plants on north-east face of Pa Hill, 10-30m a.s.l. (1984-86); one in dunes at McEwans Bay (1986)

x(1984-86); scattered plants in the swamp, and oc­casional on Pa Hill x(1984-86); dense patches in swamp; Parris's (1971) record of J. australis appears to be based on this species x(1984-86); scattered plants in the swamp, and a few near summit of Pa Hill x(1986); in floor of south-west valley on Pa Hill, local = ; scattered in open forest

x; in swamp (1984); about 6 plants in 1986 (1 female, others male or non-fertile)

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Typhaceae Typha oriental is

Orchidaceae Acianthus fornicatus var. sinclairii

AK 174163 Corybas aconitiflorus AK 126743,

174133 Dendrobium cunninghamii AK 174147 Drymoanthus ad versus AK 126582,

174127

Earina autumnalis AK 174072 E. mucronata A K 174073

Gastrodia cunninghamii AK 173988

G. sesamoides AK 173982

Microtis parviflora AK 173978

M. unifolia AK 173996 Orthoceras strictum Pterostylis alobula Thelymitra longifolia AK 173955

Cyperaceae Baumea juncea AK 173960 Carex breviculmis AK 174118

C. dissita

C. flagellifera AK 174149

C. pumila AK 174165

C. v/rgafa AK 126561, 167267, 173945

C. sp. (a) fC. geminata agg., possibly the broad-leaved, mainly coastal species, rather than C. geminata s.s.) AK 167262

C. sp. (b) (c.f. C. testacea and C. AK 167234, 128395

= (1984); not re-located in 1986

= ; found at one site in 1986, on steep eastern face of Pa Hill, under kanuka = ; found on east side of Sulphur Valley, 1986, under 6 m kanuka Two clumps on pohutukawa, Pa Hill Three plants (1986), two on Pa Hill (one on rock, one on Leucopogon fasciculatus); one near main summit, on rock = ; on Pa Hill = ; also 20 or more on pohutukawa trees around summit of main peak x(1986); scattered on main peak under kanuka and pohutukawa x(1986); 3 plants under pohutukawa on Pa Hill (possibly on main peak also) x; in grassland (C. Regnier, December 1985); a few widely scattered plants in January 1986 x(1986); scattered plants in grassland x(1986); = ; epiphytic on pohutukawa on Pa Hill (1984) The species or its location not identified by Parris (1971); T. longifolia scattered in Sulphur Valley and on north-eastern cliffs of main peak in 1986

x(1986); few on floor of Camp Valley among open kanuka scrub + x(1986); locally common under tall pohutukawa on Pa Hill, growing with C. sp. (b). Not seen in 1984, but there were small patches in sand in Boulder Bay, Sulphur Bay, McEwans Bay in 1986 '?' given by Parris for location; A K 12651 is labelled 'near top of Pa Hill, P. Hynes 1970'; in head of Camp Valley and in south-west valley of Pa Hill (1984-86) x(1984-86); two patches, a large area near head of Camp Valley, and a smaller area in stream course on south side of Pa Hill; a record in 1949 of C. ternaria (Still 1950) should probably be referred to C. sp. (a); the species must have declined markedly since Still said it was 'plentiful in most situations', to the point where it was not recorded on the 1970 survey (Parris 1971) A specimen (AK 128395) named as C. testacea in Parris (1971) appears to be of this possibly unnam­ed species; it differs from typical C. testacea in hav­ing double-folded leaves and slightly scabrid utricles, and from C. raoulii in having male spikes without terminal female flowers, and narrower leaves and utricles less scabrid than is usual in C.raoulii; this sedge was locally common under forest on Pa Hill;

45

Cyperus ustulatus Isolepis cernua (Scirpus cernuus)

AK 169709, 173971

/. nodosa AK 174015, 174014 Lepidosperma australe AK 126757 Morelotia a/finis AK 174159

Uncinia uncinata AK 174125 Gramineae *Aira caryophyllea AK 167250

*Anthoxanthum odoratum AK 169708, 174051

*Briza minor A K 174107

*Bromus diandrus A K 174129 ,173593

*B. willdenowii (B. unioloides auct. NZ) AK 167257

*Cortaderia selloana

*Cynodon dactylon A K 173942

*Dactylis glotnerata

Deyeuxia avenoides AK 169822, 174166

D. billardierei A K 174101

Dichelachne crinita AK 167277

*Digitaria sanguinalis A K 174094

Echinopogon ovatus AK 167285

*Eleusine indica A K 174104

Elymus multiflorus A K 173512

*E. rectisetus s.s. AK 173510

*Eragrostis brownii AK 167269

Parris did not give a location.

x; local, in stream course on south side of Pa Hill (1984); Pa Hill (in freshwater seepage at base of cliff), and in swamp

Three plants on ridge between Camp and Sulphur Valleys, in low open kanuka (1986) Not uncommon in forest on Pa Hill (1986)

x; few plants at base of southern cliffs (1984); more widespread but sparse in 1986 x; not seen in field in 1984, but one plant appeared in a pot-grown turf from Camp Valley; rather local in grassland in 1986 x(1986); not common, patches of plants in several open sites x(1986); locally common on sea cliffs at eastern end of Sulphur Bay x; one plant on cliff-top at east end of island (1984); few on sea cliffs at eastern end of Sulphur Bay (1986); (There appears to be no specimen to support Par-ris's (1971) record of 'Bromus sp.') More widespread and common in 1984-86 than in 1970 (recorded by Parris (1971) as C. sellowiana); many mature plants in dunes and the swamp; young plants (1986) in grassland and on coastal cliffs Not seen in dunes (c.f. Parris 1971) but 1 plant on stones, west end of Boulder Bay One plant on cliff-top at east end of island (1984); not seen 1986 x; not seen in field in 1984, but several plants ap­peared in pot-grown turf from Camp Valley; scat­tered plants seen 1986, mostly on coastal cliffs and in open scrub x(1986); few plants between the swamp and boulder beach, on sand; isolated plants on sea cliffs on north side of Pa Hill x; scattered plants on cliffs among scrub (1984); com­mon and widespread in open sites (1986) x(1986); about 6 plants among rocks, west end of Boulder Bay Few seen in 1984, mostly in forest on Pa Hill, but common there in 1986, and scattered in other forest remnants x(1986); solitary plant of gull roost, coastal rocks at east end of island x(1986); one plant in Rytidosperma - Microlatna grassland at extreme eastern end of island, on cliff top x(1986); c.6 plants on top of low coastal cliffs at east end of Boulder Bay, in grassland x(1984-86); common in grassland among open

46

*Holcus lanatus A K 174052 Lachnagrostis filiformis s.s. A K 174013

L. sp. (unnamed; L. filiformis var. littoralis) A K 173500

*Lagurus ovatus A K 174138

*Lolium perenne A K 174088 Microlaena stipoides A K 167238

Oplismenus aemulus var. flaccidus (O. imbecillus auct N.Z.)

*Panicum dichotomiflorum A K 174010

*Paspalum dilatatum AK 167251

Poa anceps

*P. annua A K 167284

P. imbecilla A K 173987

*P. pratensis A K 173516(7), 174011

P. pusilla AK 174142

*P. trivialis

*Polypogon monspeliensis AK 167258

*Rytidosperma penicillatum A K 173051

*R. racemosum A K 169821, 167236, 167237, 173517

R. unarede A K 173520 Spin if ex sericeus

*Sporobolus africanus Trisetum sp. (unnamed aff.

T. antarcticum) AK 173521 *Vulpia bromoides A K 174093

Zoysia minima AK 126580, 173979

kanuka scrub especially in Camp Valley

x(1986); locally common around edges of the swamp and adjacent boulder beach, sea cliffs at east end of Sulphur Bay and east end of island x(1986); in earth pockets on southern coastal cliff, 200m east of Sulphur Bay x(1986); common on dunes of McEwans and Sulphur Bays x(1986); few on sea cliffs at east end of Sulphur Bay x; heavily grazed by rabbits in 1984, abundant and widespread in 1986

x(1986); few plants among rocks, west end of Boulder Bay x; one plant on north cliff-top opposite McEwans Bay (1984); widespread plants, but uncommon (1986) = ; scattered but uncommon (1984); common on cliffs, occasional in grassland (1986) x; about five plants on rocks on cliff-top at east end of island (1984); more widespread but local (1986) x(1986); one patch on rocks in forest remnant on main peak x(1986); scattered plants in Rytidosperma -Microlaena grassland at extreme eastern end of island, on cliff top x(1986); in south-west valley of Pa Hill, one patch among open 2m kanuka x(1986); 2 plants among boulders at west end of Boulder Bay x; few plants in saline parts of the swamp (1984-86) and at bases of sea cliffs (1986) x(1986); cliffs at head of Camp Valley, uncommon on rock outcrops x(1984-86); abundant in grassland; especially on cliff tops x(1986); uncommon on sea cliffs Parris et al. (p.36, 1971) noted that this species (as S. hirsutus) 'sparsely covers the dunes', but in the species list (Parris p. 45, 1971) it is stated that only one plant of Spinifex was seen, in grassland; the lat­ter statement appears to be an error; common in dunes of Boulder Bay but browsed by rabbits (1984); many large, flowering clumps of both sexes (1986)

x(1986); scattered on rocks on upper parts of main peak x(1986); common in open areas of scrub and grassland and on cliffs Parris's Z. pungens specimen (AK 126580) lacks in­florescences, but A . E . Wright (pers. comm.) reports that a cross section of the leaf has confirmed its iden­tity as Z. minima; since the presence of more than

47

one species of Zoysia in New Zealand was not for­mally recognised until late in 1971 (Zotov 1971) it is likely that Parris's (1971) comments that Z. pungens was 'common on dunes' applies to both Z. minima and Z pauciflora; only the latter species was found there in 1984 (see next entry); small amounts of Z. minima on dunes of Boulder Bay and floor of Camp Valley in 1986

Z. pauciflora AK 167230, 167231 x(l 984-86); few plants on dunes; locally common on cliff edges in open sites, forming thick carpets

APPENDIX 2. Doubtful and erroneous published records

N A M E USED (Parris 1971, unless otherwise stated)

Acaena ? ovina Bellis perennis Berberis vulgaris Clematis paniculata Coprosma lucida (Still 1950) Einadia (Rhagodia) triandra Galium parisiense Geranium dissectum Geranium microphyllum Geranium! australe Juncus australis

Lagenophora petiolata Lemna minor (?) Oxalis corniculata Picris cchioidcs TSedum sp. Sigesbeckia (sic.) oriental is Schizaea fistulosa Vicia angustifolia Wahlenbergia gracilis

PROBABLE IDENTITY (AK specimens were searched for in each case, and are cited where these have been found)

1A. agnipila var. or A. novae-zelandiae 1 B. glaucocarpa (AK 126697) C. cunninghamii (AK 126702) ?C. macrocarpa and/or C. robusta Einadia alia tin (AK 126727) ?G. propinquum G. solanderi 'coarse hairs' (AK 126751) ?G. solanderi 1G. solanderi J. maritimus var. australiensis (AK 126754, 129318) Lagenifera pumila (AK 126755) ? O. rubcns (AK 126761) Cirsium vulgare (AK 126586) ? Senecio lautus (AK 126967) S. bifida (AK 126581) V. sativa (AK 126733) W. marginata (AK 128457)

48