Down in the Longwood Range, near Riverton and not far from the top of Bald Hill, the highest point there, (affectionately known as Baldy), one can find the local form of Nematoceras "Trotters".

It grows under Nothofagus species in a tight mat which cannot be negotiated without standing on plants; it flowers in mid January, not October to December and the flower is reddish maroon not dark brown to very dark green as any self-respecting N. "Trotters" should be.

Sid Smithies and Kelly Rennell felt sure it was a distinct species when they showed it to the Column on 18 Jan 04 at an elevation of about 740m. [J91:12 Fig. 12 & J91:18] and Sid was happy to tag it N. "tribaldy".

The Column has dithered for two and a half years on this one feeling that it might be different enough but well aware of the scepticism which can greet new announcements. However Mark Clements' recent presentation re N. sulcatum and Nematoceras in general, showed some notable DNA differences among similar looking N. "viridis" alias "whiskers" taxa which had all previously been conservatively lumped under N. "whiskers"; that is until H. B. Matthews' 1928 Corysanthes "viridis" came to light as another of the same aggregate.

Mark's most revealing phylogenetic trees showed N. "whiskers" Taranaki, as quite distinct from Brian Molloy's N. "Tinline" from Tinline Stream, Nelson whereas Bruce Irwin and the Column had both taken the slight differences involved as variations within the species.

This DNA surprise persuaded the Column to take his own advice; "if it seems different, say so", then others in the field can check their own finds for consistency or dissimilarity. What do you think of the photos below, compared with Ian St George's J89:20, the Column's of the Waharau taxon in J82:16 Fig. 2 and of course the Field Guide?

Anyone with their own variation on N. "Trotters", in flower shape, flowering time and/or habitat, please also let the Editor in on the differences.