Durvillaea poha

The species was previously classified as the "cape" lineage of Durvillaea antarctica{{cite journal |doi=10.1111/j.1529-8817.2009.00658.x |title=Genetic and morphological analyses of the southern bull kelp Durvillaea antarctica (Phaeophyceae: Durvillaeales) in New Zealand reveal cryptic species |journal=Journal of Phycology|volume=45 |issue=2 |pages=436–443 |year=2009 |last1=Fraser|first1=Ceridwen I. |last2=Hay |first2=Cameron H.|last3=Spencer |first3=Hamish G.|last4=Waters |first4=Jonathan M.|pmid=27033822 |s2cid=18309093 }}{{cite journal|last1=Fraser|first1=C.I.|last2=Winter|first2=D.J.|last3=Spencer|first3=H.G.|last4=Waters|first4=J.M.|year=2010|title=Multigene phylogeny of the southern bull-kelp genus Durvillaea (Phaeophyceae: Fucales)|journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution|volume=57|issue=3|pages=1301–11|doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2010.10.011|pmid=20971197}} but in 2012 it was recognised as a distinct species due to consistent genetic, morphological and ecological differences. In southern New Zealand, D. poha and D. antarctica frequently grow next to one another, although D. poha normally grows higher up or further back on rock platforms, or in more sheltered bays, where wave force is weaker.{{cite journal |doi=10.1098/rspb.2020.0712|pmc=7423469 |title=The genomic footprint of coastal earthquake uplift |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society B|volume=287 |pages=20200712 |year=2020 |last1=Parvizi|first1=Elahe |last2=Fraser|first2=Ceridwen I. |last3=Dutoit|first3=Ludovic |last4=Craw|first4=Dave |last5=Waters|first5=Jonathan M.|issue=1930 |pmid=32635859 |doi-access=free}} D. poha generally has wider fronds than D. antarctica, and can appear more 'orange' across the frond area. Mitochondrial introgression has been observed between the two species, where some plants in Wellington exhibited the nuclear DNA of D. poha but also mitochondrial DNA belonging to D. antarctica.

The specific epithet is from pōhā, storage bags made by Māori out of kelp fronds.{{Cite web|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/seaweed/page-4|title=Page 4. Traditional use of seaweeds|date=12 Jun 2006|website=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand|language=en-nz|access-date=19 November 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/discover-collections/read-watch-play/maori/traditional-maori-food-gathering|title=Traditional Māori food gathering|website=Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa|date=30 May 2016 |language=en-nz|access-date=21 November 2019}}

The species has wide, air filled blades with a 'honeycomb' structure, and relative stout, pale or orange stipes. The stipes are unbranched.

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|title=Images of Durvillaea poha

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|File:Durvillaea_poha-2.jpg

|{{center|D. poha at Pūrākanui Bay, Otago}}

|File:Poha-Taieri1.jpg

|{{center|D. poha growing on Taieri Island, Otago}}

|File:Durvillea_Stipe.jpg

|{{center|Stipes of D. poha at Second Bay, Otago}}

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The species is endemic to New Zealand, and is predominantly found along southern coasts of the South Island and on Stewart Island, as well as on the subantarctic Snares and Auckland Islands. Based on genetic data, the species appears to have undergone a recent range expansion into the North Island, as it can be found at low frequencies along the Wellington coastline. This range expansion coincides with areas affected by tectonic uplift and landslides caused by historic earthquakes, including the 1855 Wairarapa earthquake. The removal of D. antarctica and formation of new coastline by such tectonic disturbance likely provided an ecological opportunity for D. poha to successfully colonise coastline north of the Cook Strait.

File:Poha1.jpg covered with tōtara bark and inserted into a flax basket]]

Along with D. antarctica, blades of D. poha are used to make traditional pōhā bags, which are used to carry and store food and fresh water, to propagate live shellfish, and to make clothing and equipment for sports.{{Cite news|url=https://sunlive.co.nz/news/179488-maori-shellfish-project-wins-scholarship.html|title=Maori shellfish project wins scholarship|date=13 May 2018|work=SunLive|access-date=26 November 2019}} Pōhā bags are especially associated with the Ngāi Tahu people (iwi), and are often used to carry and store muttonbird (tītī) chicks.

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{{Wikispecies}}

• [https://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=142851 Algaebase: Durvillaea poha C.I.Fraser, H.G.Spencer & J.M.Waters]
• [https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/taxon/60884 Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa: Durvillaea poha C.I.Fraser & J.M.Waters (Species)]

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Category:Fucales

Category:Flora of New Zealand

Category:Edible seaweeds

Category:Protists described in 2012