News

International acclaim for Ōtari orchid scientists

Stories of native orchid conservation research at Ōtari impressed an international audience of orchid specialists, in Perth in September. Scientists from the Lions Ōtari Plant Conservation Laboratory madeJennifer Alderton-Moss and her winning poster presentations to the 8th International Orchid Conservation Congress on their groundbreaking research undertaken around the germination of rare native orchids. A poster summarising progress on the genus Corybas (helmet orchids), designed and presented by plant conservation researcher, Jennifer Alderton-Moss, was awarded Best Poster at the Congress. Conservation and Science Advisor, Karin van der Walt, gave a talk about Gastrodia (potato orchids, and especially the team’s work on G. cooperae) and Carlos Lehnebach (Botany Curator, Te Papa who is also part of the Otari research project) gave a talk about Corybas carsei (swamp helmet orchid). There were about 90 attendees, who came from far flung places like Czechia and Taiwan, and the week was packed with 50 talks and two workshops, says Jennifer, whose conference attendance was sponsored by the Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Trust.

Posted: 1 October 2024

Community and plants the stars of a great Open Day

Jane and Andrew gathering plants from the Trust Nursery.Community and plants were the obvious themes at the annual Ōtari Open Day, on September 14.

Plant sales were hugely popular – this was the first Open Day that all the plants on sale were propagated from the Ōtari collections in the Trust’s own nursery, thanks to the huge efforts of Jane Humble, Lynley Trower and other volunteers, supported by Ōtari garden staff. Ōtari gardeners and expert Behind the scenes, Ōtari Nursery tourbotanists were on hand to advise those keen to spread the native plant love into their home gardens.

Others took the chance for a tour of the special plants being raised in the Ōtari Nursery.

Meanwhile, local experts were on hand Learning with Tū Mātou Orato discuss everything from kiwi in the capital, to predator, dog and weed control, botany and community and volunteer conservation.

Kids and big kids learned of traditional wellbeing activities with Tū Mātau Ora, raranga with Ōtari Raranga Weavers, rongoā with rangatira Sharli Solomon, Making putiputiand discovered little crawlie things through the microscopes at Open Lab.

Fungi guru and new Trustee, Geoff Ridley, was the delighted raffle-winning recipient of Judi Lapsley Miller’s stunning artwork: ‘Kererū on kōwhai’.

It was great to see so many people enjoying the day, said Ōtari Manager, Tim Park. ‘We are very lucky to have such an engaged network of supporters A buzzy placein the local community and it’s always great to see people and share plant stories.’

Trust Chair, Kevin O`Connor, agreed there was a lovely community feel about Open Day this year. ‘Thanks to everyone involved, especially the Council’s Wellington Gardens staff who all did a great job.’

Posted: 15 September 2024

Book launch: The definitive guide to identifying our native ferns

Good news for fans of native ferns (and who isn’t?). In early August, the definitive, visual guide book to New Zealand ferns was launched at Te Papa. It’s co-authored by Leon Perrie, a good friend of Ōtari known for the wonderful tours he leads introducing people to native plants, and the late Patrick Brownsey, who made a huge contribution to New Zealand botany and natural history. The book is the result of many years of research and identification, both at the museum and in the field, by this pair of botany experts.

The book is clearly set out, introducing a guide to genera, then to individual species. There are heaps of images, and not too many words. ‘It’s the kind of book I would have loved when I was learning about plants,’ said Perrie at the launch. Using the book is easy, confirmed botanist Carol West, until recently our Trust chair, who launched the book. ‘I’d defy anyone who knows nothing about ferns to not be able to find the fern they’re looking for in this book.’

Published by Te Papa Press, the book can be purchased for $50 from our weekend hosts at Tāne Whakapiripiri, the Ōtari Visitor Centre.

Posted: 9 August 2024