Evidence for long‐distance dispersal of Sophora microphylla to sub‐Antarctic Macquarie Island

A single seed of kowhai (Sophora microphylla), a species not native to Macquarie Island, was discovered on the island's lakeshore. This finding suggests that long-distance dispersal by birds, followed by additional transport mechanisms, may enable the colonization of oceanic islands by certain plant species, including those in the Edwardsia group of Sophora. The discovery highlights the potential for multi-stage dispersal processes to overcome geographical barriers in sub-Antarctic ecosystems.

Smith, J. (2011). Evidence for long‐distance dispersal of Sophora microphylla to sub‐Antarctic Macquarie Island. New Zealand Journal of Botany, 50(1), 83–85. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1080/0028825x.2011.621715