Exotic palms at Kaipatiki Creek

Exotic palms, at any stage of development, were not observed anywhere along the streamside or forest in 1999, though it is possible seedlings were present but unrecognised at that time. We recall drawing the attention of botanists to some wide-leaved palm seedlings we were told were within the normal range of form for nikau, but at that time even Phoenix palm were not yet fully recognised as a Pest Plant, and Bangalow were not even mentioned by specialist advisors.

A striking new observation during 2019 Survey of the restoration site has been at least 2, possibly more, Bangalow palms (Archontophoenix cunninghamii) at or near maturation, one ID confirmed by a Palm specialist botanist on iNaturalist.nz.
https://inaturalist.nz/observations/22230368

With no panicles observed, it appears one at least is not yet of fruiting age, and it is hoped the other, or others, are similarly not yet producing seed. The two confirmed are on a low, wet bank beside the stream among dense lush mature nikau, in the midst of diverse 60 year old regen forest in dense native understorey.

In an onsite tour with Wildlands' Acting Operations Manager in preparation for their annual weed control operation for Witheford Reserve, we were able to locate this specimen and identify it close-up. It is to be felled without use of chemicals, for ongoing monitoring to assess any regrowth from the stump.

The results of this Trial will be most useful in restoration in the area generally, where exotic palms are now abundant as seedlings and juveniles, and presumed about to increase exponentially as the first invasions begin to reproduce. As they are frequently, like this one, amidst vulnerable native vegetation and near a stream or run-off to a stream, knowledge of their regrowth habit after felling will be invaluable in their control generally.

All observations of Bangalow on the site, including repeat observations of the above and 1 or 2 others near it, can be seen here in a Search result which will be updated automatically:
https://inaturalist.nz/observations?place_id=131524&subview=table&taxon_id=83634

In mid-May 2019, about 20 seedlings to 10cmH were uprooted from the pathside revegetation area and adjacent streamside, about 12 of them within 1 square metre below Fernlea Rise.

One seedling was already yellow-and-brown, likely from herbicide whether targeted or not.

Phoenix

  • A juvenile observed a metre or two from the roadside path above Rimu Pool

  • https://inaturalist.nz/observations/17731462

  • Dozens of seedlings 20-50cmH along the streambank, and a group of 6 at the roadside, near the Native Plant Trail entry.




  • Most of these were uprooted entire. Two too large to be uprooted were suppressed by twisting and looping the tallest leaves. The first intervention was observed some months later to have a single leaf shooting through the loop. This was bent down into the loop. These two examples are marked and monitored.

    Phoenix seedlings and possibly juveniles are likely in other areas of stream bank not easily surveyed due to steep and unstable stream banks, and also within the forest around nikau where kereru feed, as they are introduced as seed by birds from surrounding housing, Reserves and streetsides.

    Chusan

    A single Chusan, 1.5mH on the low esturaine bank above manawa,

    One unidentified from a distance , either Chusan (Trachycarpus fortunei) or Fan (Washingtonia), c.3-4mH observed only once and not yet relocated, in the Aa-Ad roadside area, probably juvenile when observed but possibly adult by now.

    These two genera were unknown on the site in 1999.

    All palm observations from the Restoration site, both native and exotic, are collected here:
    https://inaturalist.nz/projects/the-native-nikau-and-the-invasive-exotic-palms-at-kaipatiki-creek

    All palm observations in the neighbourhoods surrounding the stream, excluding the Creek site, are here:
    https://inaturalist.nz/projects/palms-in-the-kaipatiki-creek-neighbourhood

    Posted on April 28, 2019 02:51 AM by kaipatiki_naturewatch kaipatiki_naturewatch

    Comments

    All exotic palms at least provisionally identified on the site can now be seen here.

    A seedling found in Zone Ca has been identified as Australian Fan Palm.

    A group of Chusan palms has been discovered on the "upstream" streamside, in Zone Ab. In 1999 after weeding of wild regeneration, and planting along the roadside above, this was a very beautiful lush bit of regeneration overtopping "Pate Pool".

    Having matured, it is less lush but still beautiful apart from the Chusan.

    Posted by kaipatiki_naturew... over 4 years ago

    Add a Comment

    Sign In or Sign Up to add comments