This article was first published in Tararua Tramper in April 2025
Lees Grove orchids
E - Wednesday 12 March
Nine members turned up for the Lees Grove orchid tramp. Michele invited two Forest and Bird trampers who happened to be there at the same time, to join us. The climb to Lowry trig seems to be getting steeper but we all made it! Then on to the bench lookout for morning tea.
We retraced our steps to join Rata Ridge and make our way to the huge patch of Earina autumnalis orchids. I had wondered if they would still be in flower and indeed some of the flowers were finished but there was still enough to create the wonderful fragrant scent.
After lunch we continued to the Ferry Rd junction. From there the track is quite a relaxed descent. The tail of the party enjoyed botanising and we all got familiar with the Drymoanthus adversus orchid. It is spotted by noticing the white roots curving around the trunk with fan shaped clusters of fleshy leaves. We plan to go back in spring, the flowering season.
Back at the cars soon after 2 p.m., we all seemed to have had a very enjoyable day.
Julia Fraser (leader and scribe), Anne Bond, Hadley Bond, Muriel Christianson, Michele Dickson, Liz Martin, Jean Morgan, Kerry Popplewell, Alison Stephenson and two Forest and Bird members: Rowena Cullen and Brenda Johnston.