Pokaka – Otatara School 13 March 2019
While it rained heavily outside we stayed in the Education centre and had fun guessing which of the 5 seedlings potted up and sitting on the table was Pokaka.
Students used the shape of the leaves, colour of the leaves, the size of the seedling to make their identification choice. It was revealed that two of the five were Pokaka, one native jasmine and two Melicytis. How similar these plants look as juveniles! Then we looked at leaves to identify which were Pokaka. We talked about botanists, and classification and naming of plants, learning that Pokaka (Elaeocarpus hookerianus) is named after a person. We also got an indication of how difficult plant identification can be, especially when a plant is heteroblastic (has a different adult from juvenile form). Then it was out to the bush track where we saw an adult Pokaka with seeds on it. While in the bush we noticed all the seedlings growing…and again the students used their identification skills to pick out Pokaka, from jasmine and lancewood seedlings. This class is really getting to know their classroom plant.
Then it was back to the newly formed track and viewing seat where we pondered how forests are formed, looking at the different layers of a forest – that which was dominated by nursery or colonising species (like those grown at the Southland Community Nursery), and the canopy layer where we saw Pokaka, kahikatea and other canopy species. Back at the Education centre we looked at the Otatara School classroom plants and as we named them we talked about notable identification features. There was then one plant at the door to the education centre – what was it? Hmmmm…. we gave the hint that it was also a classroom plant…….Pokaka!!! That’s right – your classroom plant!….. It was great to have this year 5 and 6 class and it was great to see the students making their own notes on their learning. We look forward to having them back for their next visit.
Bronwyn and Chris
Posted: 19 March 2019