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Story: Wetlands

Ephemeral wetland, Volcanic Plateau (2nd of 3)

Ephemeral wetland, Volcanic Plateau

Turf communities and sedges dominate hollows lined with volcanic tephra in the upper Rangitāiki catchment, in the central North Island. During the summer of January 2000 it was dry, with clumps of Carex rubicunda (short tufts) on the green turf floor, and taller clumps of Carex dipsacea and Juncus gregiflorus (dark erect rushes). Carex rubicunda grows for most of the year under water but flowers and sets seed when the ponds dry out.

About this item

Private collection
Photograph by Peter Johnson

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How to cite this page:

Peter Johnson. 'Wetlands', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 25-Sep-11
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/wetlands/2/4/2