The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Topic:

Te Papa’s Bush City

Mamaku, Cyathea medullaris. Bush City, Te Papa.
Mamaku, Cyathea medullaris. Bush City, Te Papa., 24 Mar 11, Te Papa

Bush City is Te Papa’s only living, outdoor exhibition.  Some parts of Bush City resemble the native vegetation typical of Wellington.  But interesting plants from elsewhere around New Zealand have also been introduced.

Below are some of Bush City’s residents, with details of their ecology and uses, and how to recognise them.  All of these photos were taken inside Bush City.

giant pig fern

giant pig fern

Hypolepis dicksonioides. A large, ground fern that is uncommon around Wellington but has made its own way into Bush City. more>

horopito

horopito

Pepper tree, Pseudowintera colorata. A small tree usually found in cold habitats. The leaves have a strong peppery taste. more>

karaka

karaka

Corynocarpus laevigatus. A medium-sized three that was an important traditional food, although the poisonous fruit require extensive treatment before eating. more>

kawakawa

kawakawa

Macropiper excelsum. Easily recognised by its heart-shaped leaves that are often riddled with caterpillar holes. more>

mamaku

mamaku

Cyathea medullaris. One of the world's tallest tree ferns. Related to silver fern (ponga). more>

manuka & kanuka

manuka & kanuka

Teatree, Leptospermum scoparium & Kunzea ericoides. Important pioneers in forest regeneration. First used to brew tea by Captain Cook. more>

poroporo

poroporo

Solanum laciniatum. A common shrub at the margins of lowland forests. The fruit are edible when very ripe, but it is otherwise poisonous. more>

rangiora

rangiora

Bushman's toilet paper, Brachyglottis repanda. A tree daisy, whose large, soft leaves give rise to the "bushman's toilet paper" name, for those caught short. more>

rimu

rimu

Red pine, Dacrydium cupressinum. A common, tall tree. In the podocarp family, along with kahikatea, matai, miro, and totara. more>

silver fern

silver fern

Ponga, Cyathea dealbata. One of the emblems of New Zealand. It is a real plant and not just a marketing creation! more>

tecomanthe

tecomanthe

Tecomanthe speciosa. A vine from the Three Kings Islands, with only a single individual known in the wild, but is now popular in cultivation. more>

totara

totara

Podocarpus totara. One of the giants of New Zealand's forests, with highly valued wood. In the podocarp family, along with kahikatea, matai, miro, and rimu. more>

Related Taxa

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