One plant noted. Seems to be the same as ones I have collected and grown on in the Unitec Campus Growth Rooms - so wonder if I accidentally spread some seed onto the campus grounds? Eitherway, a good example of a distinctive Taraxacum which doesn't seem to match anything else. This one is being investigated by Northern Hemisphere Taraxacum experts.
While I think this one is an accidental liberation from cultivated plants on campus the same race has been found in Otago (Akatore) and at Tairawhiti (near Potaka). Note ciliate outer involucral bracts.
Phormium aff. tenax (the Chatham Islands race of it). Growing in regenerating hakapiri (Olearia traversiorum) shrubland overlying dunes near Lake Kairangahau.
Sadly - commonly seen on Syzygium marie most trees of which were dead or close to death (this including trees estimated at 20 m height). Very sad.
Common on water shoots at the base of 15-20 tall virtually dead (due to Austropuccinia psidii infections) Syzygium maire. All specimens of Syzygium maire seen on this visit were either dead or nearly dead from Austropuccinia psidii.
Water shoot (this one infected with Austropuccinia psidii - see https://inaturalist.nz/observations/221263607) noted near base of a 20 m tall tree, one of 15 seen in this part of the catchment. All of these dead or nearly dead from Austropuccinia psidii infections.