Heading up to the Kuataika Trig at Bethells today, many remarked at the beautiful delicate blue flowers blooming on the sides of the track. At our morning –tea site great swathes occupied all the sunny areas. This blue iris, botanical name Aristea ecklonii comes from West and South Africa. 

Unfortunately, it forms dense stands, enjoys moderate to full sun, spreads easily by seed and rhizome and also in trampers boots. It establishes itself in shrub land, cleared ground and coastlines preventing native species from regenerating. I have seen it on the Rose Track, in the pine plantation at Te Arai point and two years ago I observed heavy infestations on Comans track at the same time of year. 

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Anne B