2014 Favourite Native Plant and Worst Weed vote opens

Fern and Fir, will the title holders rate again? 2014 Favourite Plant and Worst Weed vote begins…

Hymenophyllum malingii 2013 Favourite Native Plant winner. Photo: Jane Gosden

Voting for the 2014 Favourite Plant and Worst Weed has opened and will run until the 30th of November. Follow this link or use the button on the homepage to cast your to vote. Voting is open to everyone, members and non-members alike, and you can also comment on why you have made your choice if you wish.

Last year’s favourite plant was Hymenophyllum malingii, the first time a fern had taken out the title. It was a particularly popular winner which roused some fantastic comments. Just seeing this usually epiphytic specialist takes some effort as it usually occurs in mountainous habitats on only a few species of dying tree trunks. Some of last year’s remarks included:

“It’s really a sight to behold when found covering a whole stump like a silvery carpet.”

“This fern is more silver than silver fern!... It's part of a group of wide-ranging and often over looked delicate ferns - the Hymenophyllaceae. Simply spectacular.”

“I love this fern - it's a bit mysterious and always a thrill to find it as you don't see it everywhere! It just looks so primitive and conjures up images of prehistoric NZ to me.”

Other past winners have included Pohutukawa - Metrosideros excelsa (twice), Cook’s scurvy grass - Lepidium oleraceum, Chatham Island Christmas tree - Brachyglottis huntii, Willowherb - Epilobium microphyllum, Pingao – Ficinia spiralis, Chatham Island Forget-me-not - Myosotidium hortensia, Giant wire rush - Sporadanthus ferrugineus, and Kauri - Agathis australis. Will any past contenders prevail again?

Worst Weed for 2013 - Douglas fir

The most despised weed in 2013’s vote was a new comer to the top 10, Douglas Fir - Pseudotsuga menziesii. This weed tree is extremely visible as a wilding species which causes significant habitat modification and visual pollution, requiring huge efforts to control. Will it be loathed as much this year?

The worst weed has only been contended since 2012. The winner that year was one of my pet hates, Tradescantia - Tradescantia fluminensis. It also came in third place last year, a very popular species with the voters. Maybe it will again take the title.

Voting has now opened, so please nominate your favourite native plant and worst weed. Five minutes of your time is as long as it will take, have your say. I’m hoping an orchid will win for the first time, what about you?

- Matt Ward (NZPCN council)