Epiphytes Growing on Leaves

Epiphyllae, as they are termed, are not so evident on the generally smaller leaves of the New Zealand rain forest as they are on the large leaves of the tropical rain forest. However, in the tropics, the plants concerned are mostly filamentous algae, leafy liverworts and lichens.

One epiphyllous alga in New Zealand is commonly observed on the leaves of mahoe (Melicytus ramiflorus). This is a species of Trentepohlia and it forms conspicuous reddish patches on old leaves of mahoe in autumn and winter.

Twelve epiphyllous species of liverwort in nine genera have been recorded in New Zealand. They are related to epiphyllae of the tropics and in New Zealand they have been found mostly on fern leaves, but also on leaves of trees and shrubs including horopito (Pseudowintera).

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Epiphyllous lichens were the subject of a detailed study by Allan⁵² at Kitchener Park, Feilding. They were found to be abundant on the leaves of the conifers totara (Todocarpus totara), matai (Prumnopitys taxifolia) and kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides), on tawa (Beilschmiedia tawa), titoki (Alectryon excelsus), rama rama (Lophomyrtus bullata), the epiphytic orchid Earina mucronata and the liane Metrosideros colensoi. The leaves of supple-jack (Ripogonum scandens), the species of Coprosma, Pittiosporum, Hoheria and puka (Griselinia lucida) were free of lichens. Clearly much still remains to be learnt about leaf epiphytes in New Zealand.

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