The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Spotted this streamside Oparara gorge just north of Karamea. I recall not being convinced it was a Sophoroa (microphylla juvenile?). The leaves just didn't seem right. A positive ID would be appreciated.

HI Graeme. It is a Carmichaelia of some kind. You might be able to identify it based on distribution using Peter Heenan's papers. It looks like something in the C. odorata group.

Thanks, Mike. Yes... Carmichaelia kirkii looks easily the best fit and rings true although the described distribution range (Eastern South Island, from the Awatere River south to Otago) is a little out, but not wildly, and the Oparara riverside habitat is perfect. Thanks Jan Clayton Greene for the habitat photo and whomsoever for the very good idea of including it in the gallery. The best match photo from De Lange NZPCN attached. And hey... I AM a member. Why it say me not? No worries really.

Hi Graeme, I would not expect it to be C. kirkii in the Oparara area - I have not heard of that species west of the Southern Alps - and your photo doesn't look like that species.

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Hmmm. Interesting. OK. My searching puts Kirkii closest especially because of the twiggery but .. I'll hold the tickets. It's good to nail it to the Carmichaels though. Mystery partially solved. Thanks for the help.

This is almost certainly Carmichaelia arborea - which is very common in that area.

Happy New Year Graeme