Emerging weeds of the Rakaia Huts. Canterbury Botanical Society Walk.

The Rakaia river was formerly known as Ō Rakaia meaning the place where people were ranged in rank. It was a traditional mahinga kai of the Ngai Tūāhuriri people of Kaiapoi.

The Rakaia river mouth is the site of many earth ovens that were used for cooking moa. Up to 1000 oven sites have been recorded in this area, indicating that large scale specialised moa-hunting for food supply was carried out here.

From Tī Kōuka Whenua, Christchurch City Libraries website

https://www.coastalsociety.org.nz/assets/Uploads/files/CN-53-2013-07.pdf

Jasper and I went for a walk with the Canterbury Botanical Society around the north side of the Rakaia River mouth.

Some notes-
Myoporum insulare from Australia and Tasmania planted instead of Myoporum laetum/Ngaio
Olearia albida a North Island Olearia
A large number of Lycium ferocissimum/African boxthorn alongside the path
Acacia melanoxylon/blackwood I think this is interesting because of the odd leaves that are not leaves but modified leaf stems called phyllodes. This is another Australian plant.
Apodasmia similis/Oioi one of my favourites because of the way it moves in the breeze and I see it nearly every day when crossing the South Brighton Bridge.
Senecio glomeratus a food for Magpie Moth caterpillars.
Iris foetidissima - saw many under the willows.
Fatsia japonica growing in a field of ivy
Selaginella kraussiana Alice’s adversary. A weedy African clubmoss that is difficult to eradicate. It is listed on the New Zealand National Plant Pest Accord.
Coriaria arborea/Tutu, Tom explained that this is poisonous and spread from further inland by floating down the river. Māori used to make a drink from the berries but had to remove the small seeds because the seeds are poisonous.
Senecio minimus- I am looking out for these plants because I am looking for Magpie Moth caterpillars that eat them.

Posted on August 10, 2024 06:24 AM by katrina_muir