HAWKWEEDS, HIERACIUM SPP, IN TUSSOCK GRASSLANDS OF CANTERBURY, NEW-ZEALAND, IN 1960S

The frequency and abundance of three species of Hieracium, hawkweeds, in tussock grassland communities in Canterbury during the 1960s is presented as an historical record. Abundance was low at most sites; H. pilosella and H. praealtum were widespread and well established; both species had similar patterns of abundance in snow- and montane fescue-tussock grasslands. The three species formed distinctive geographic distribution patterns in Canterbury - (a) coastal hills and plains, and the northern region, (b) centrally in the catchments of the Waimakariri and Rakaia rivers, and (c) in the south in the catchments of the Ashburton and Rangitata rivers and the Mackenzie Country.