Plant of the Month: Mairehau
This is a small tree that is uncommon in the Waitakere ranges but it is in flower now and the scent is wonderful.
Leionema nudum Mairehau Family: Rutaceae
Height: up to 4 m.
Branchlets: slender, with a reddish bark, covered in stellate hairs.
Leaves: 20-45 × 3-10 mm, linear-oblong to elliptic, bronze-green, paler on underside, minute crenate serrations on leaf margins, gland dotted, scented when crushed.
Flowers: white, in clusters up to 5 cm diameter.
Distribution: Lowland forests, North Cape to Kawhia and northern Kaimai Range. Uncommon.
Weed on the Month: Bartlettina sordida
In the daisy family (Asteraceae). Bartlettina can be seen on the roadsides around Laingholm and Waima and generally in the Waitakere Ranges. It prefers dampish sites but can tolerate some drought once established and is partially shade tolerant. It spreads quickly by many widely dispersed seeds.
Control: Easy to pull, or dig out, or cut down and paint stumps with glyphosate (250ml/L). Leave on site to rot down. Wear rubber gloves when mixing and applying herbicide. Note that glyphosate is safer than other herbacides.