Flora of New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Indigenous (ecology)
In biogeography, a species is defined as native to a given region or ecosystem if its presence in that region is the result of only natural processes, with no human intervention. Every natural organism has its own natural range of distribution in which it is regarded as native...
strains. New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's geographical isolation has meant the country
Country
A country is a region legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography. A country may be an independent sovereign state or one that is occupied by another state, as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, or a geographic region associated with a previously...
has developed a unique variety of native flora. However, human migration has led to the importation of many other plants (generally referred to as 'exotics' in New Zealand) as well as widespread damage to the indigenous flora, especially after the advent of European colonisation, due to the combined efforts of farmers and specialised societies dedicated to importing European plants & animals.
Characteristics
Indigenous New Zealand flora generally has the following characteristics:{}- the majority are evergreen.
- few annual herbs.
- few cold-tolerant trees.
- majority are dispersed by birds.
- very few have defences against mammalian browsers.
- few nitrogen fixingNitrogen fixationNitrogen fixation is the natural process, either biological or abiotic, by which nitrogen in the atmosphere is converted into ammonia . This process is essential for life because fixed nitrogen is required to biosynthesize the basic building blocks of life, e.g., nucleotides for DNA and RNA and...
plants. - few fire-adapted species.
- many dioeciousDioeciousDioecy is the property of a group of biological organisms that have males and females, but not members that have organs of both sexes at the same time. I.e., those whose individual members can usually produce only one type of gamete; each individual organism is thus distinctly female or male...
species. - flowers are typically small and white.
- many plants have divaricating growth forms.
- many plants have evolved into a larger forms compared with similar plant families in other countries.
Trees and shrubs
- AkeakeAkeakeAkeake is the Maori name of at least three New Zealand species of tree:*Dodonaea viscosa*Olearia traversiorum*Olearia avicenniaefoliaAkeake is a small tree that can grow up to in height...
- Bartlett's rātāMetrosideros bartlettiiBartlett's rātā , or the Cape Reinga white rātā, is one of twelve Metrosideros species endemic to New Zealand and is notable for its extreme rarity and its white flowers, somewhat uncommon in that genus of red-flowered trees and plants...
or Cape Reinga white rātā - BeechNothofagusNothofagus, also known as the southern beeches, is a genus of 35 species of trees and shrubs native to the temperate oceanic to tropical Southern Hemisphere in southern South America and Australasia...
(Nothofagus) - Bog pine
- BroomNew Zealand BroomCarmichaelia is a genus of 24 plant species belonging to Fabaceae, the legume family. All but one species are native to New Zealand...
- Cabbage tree or Tī rākau / Tī kōuka
- CoprosmaCoprosmaCoprosma is a genus of 108 species that are found in New Zealand , Hawaii , Borneo, Java, New Guinea, islands of the Pacific Ocean to Australia and the Juan Fernández Is. Many species are small shrubs with tiny evergreen leaves, but a few are small trees and have much larger leaves...
- Daisy bushBrachyglottis greyiBrachyglottis greyi, also called Senecio greyi, with the common name daisy bushis a member of the large Asteraceae family and belongs to the genus Brachyglottisor the genus Senecio...
- DracophyllumDracophyllumDracophyllum is a genus of plants belonging to the family Ericaceae, formerly Epacridaceae. There are some one hundred or so species in the genus, mostly shrubs but also cushion plants and trees, found in New Zealand, Australia and New Caledonia. The name, Dracophyllum or Dragon-leaf refers to...
- Five finger
- FuchsiaFuchsia excorticataFuchsia excorticata, the New Zealand Fuchsia also known as Kotukutuku, is a New Zealand native tree belonging to the family Onagraceae. It is found commonly throughout New Zealand and as far south as the Auckland Islands. It grows from sea level up to about 1,000 m, particularly alongside creeks...
or Kōtukutuku - HebeHebe (plant)Hebe is a genus of plants native to New Zealand, Rapa in French Polynesia, the Falkland Islands, and South America. It includes about 90 species and is the largest plant genus in New Zealand. Apart from H. rapensis , all species occur in New Zealand. This includes the two species, H. salicifolia...
s - HoropitoPseudowinteraPseudowintera is a genus of woody evergreen flowering trees and shrubs, part of family Winteraceae. The species of Pseudowintera are native to New Zealand. Winteraceae are magnoliids, associated with the humid Antarctic flora of the southern hemisphere. Horopito can be chewed for a hot, peppery...
- Kahikatea or White Pine
- Kaka BeakKaka BeakClianthus, commonly known as Kakabeak , is a plant genus comprising two species of woody legume shrubs native to New Zealand. They have striking clusters of red flowers which resemble the beak of the Kākā, a New Zealand parrot. The plants are also known as Parrot's Beak, Parrot's Bill and Lobster...
- Kanuka
- Kapuka or Broadleaf
- KarakaKaraka (tree)Karaka , is an evergreen laurifolia tree, of the family Corynocarpaceae, with large glossy leaves endemic to New Zealand, where it is widespread in mainly coastal situations, often forming a major component of coastal forest, although it is rarely a dominant tree...
- Karamū
- KaroPittosporum crassifolium', Pittosporum crassifolium, is a small tree or shrub native to New Zealand. It is found in lowland and coastal forests throughout most of the North Island. Mature trees grow to about in height...
- Kauri
- Kawakawa
- KohekoheKohekoheKohekohe is a medium-sized tree native to New Zealand. It is found in lowland and coastal forests throughout most of North Island and also occurs in the Marlborough Sounds in the north of the South Island. Mature trees grow up to 15m in height, with a trunk up to a metre in diameter...
- KohuhuPittosporum tenuifoliumPittosporum tenuifolium is a small evergreen tree native to New Zealand, known by the Maori names kohuhu and kohukohu, or as Black Matipo . It is sometimes grown under the cultivar name 'Nigricans', so called because of its black stems...
- KowhaiKowhaiKowhai are small, woody legume trees in the genus Sophora native to New Zealand. There are eight species, S. microphylla being the most common. Kowhai trees grow throughout the country and are a common feature in New Zealand gardens. Outside of New Zealand, Kowhai tend to be restricted to mild...
- Kumaraho
- Lacebark
- LancewoodPseudopanax crassifoliusPseudopanax crassifolius, horoeka, or lancewood, is a New Zealand native tree belonging to the family Araliaceae. It is found throughout New Zealand from sea level up to about 750 m. The juvenile form, which lasts for between 15 and 20 years, is very easily recognized...
or Horoeka - LemonwoodPittosporum eugenioidesPittosporum eugenioides is a New Zealand native tree also referred to as "lemonwood" or "tarata".Tarata is a tree which grows up to 12 metres tall with a strong lemony smell. It has attractive showy flowers in October, followed by distinctive black seed capsules. It is found throughout New Zealand...
or Tarata - MahoeMelicytus ramiflorusMelicytus ramiflorus is a small tree of the family Violaceae endemic to New Zealand.It grows up to 10 metres high with a trunk up to 60 cm in diameter, it has smooth, whitish bark and brittle twigs...
or Whiteywood - MaireMaireSyzygium maire, Swamp Maire, is an evergreen tree endemic to New Zealand. It is found throughout the North Island, and the top of the South Island. The Māori language name is . Swamp maire grows in wetlands, where it develops breathing roots in waterlogged soils, but is also tolerant of reasonably...
- ManawaAvicennia marinaAvicennia marina, commonly known as grey mangrove or white mangrove, is a species of mangrove tree classified in the plant family Acanthaceae...
or White or Grey mangrove - ManukaLeptospermum scopariumLeptospermum scoparium is a shrub or small tree native to New Zealand and southeast Australia. Evidence suggests that L. scoparium originated in Australia before the onset of the Miocene aridity and dispersed relatively recently from Eastern Australia to New Zealand. It is likely that on arrival...
or Tea Tree - MāpouMyrsine australisMyrsine australis, commonly known as Red Matipo or Mapou is a species of shrub within the family Myrsinaceae. It is endemic to New Zealand and found throughout the country and offshore islands...
or Red Matipo - MatagouriMatagouriDiscaria toumatou, Matagouri, is a plant endemic to New Zealand. An alternative but disused name for the plant is Wild Irishman. The name matagouri is how speakers of English heard the South Island pronunciation of the Māori name "matakoura"....
- MataiPrumnopitys taxifoliaPrumnopitys taxifolia is an endemic New Zealand coniferous tree that grows on the North Island and South Island. It also occurs on Stewart Island/Rakiura but is uncommon there....
or Black Pine - Mingimingi
- MiroPrumnopitys ferrugineaPrumnopitys ferruginea is an evergreen coniferous tree which is endemic to New Zealand. Before the genus Prumnopitys was distinguished, it was treated in the related genus Podocarpus as Podocarpus ferrugineus....
- ManoaoManoaoManoao is a genus of conifers belonging to the Podocarp family, Podocarpaceae. The genus contains a single species, M. colensoi, which is endemic to New Zealand, where it is known by its Māori name, Manoao, or as silver pine, Westland pine, or white silver pine...
or Silver pine - Mountain totaraPodocarpus cunninghamiiPodocarpus cunninghamii is a species of conifer in the Podocarpaceae family, commonly known as Montane totara, thin-bark totara, or Hall's totara. It is also known as Podocarpus hallii can also be found around mountains growing around the base within a forest regionIt is found only in New...
- NeineiDracophyllumDracophyllum is a genus of plants belonging to the family Ericaceae, formerly Epacridaceae. There are some one hundred or so species in the genus, mostly shrubs but also cushion plants and trees, found in New Zealand, Australia and New Caledonia. The name, Dracophyllum or Dragon-leaf refers to...
- Ngaio
- NikauNikauNikau is a palm tree, the only palm endemic to New Zealand.-Etymology:Nīkau is a Māori word; in the closely related Eastern Polynesian languages of the tropical Pacific, it refers to the fronds or the midrib of the coconut palm.- Distribution:The Nikau palm is the only palm species endemic to...
- Northern rātāMetrosideros robustaNorthern rātā , is a huge forest tree endemic to New Zealand. It grows up to 25 m or taller, and usually begins its life as a hemiepiphyte high in the branches of a mature forest tree; over centuries the young tree sends descending and girdling roots down and around the trunk of its host,...
- OleariaOleariaOlearia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Asteraceae. There are about 130 different species within the genus found mostly in Australia, New Guinea and New Zealand...
- Ongaonga or Tree nettle
- PatēSchefflera digitataSchefflera digitata, Patē or Seven-finger, is a tree endemic to New Zealand belonging to the family Araliaceae. The Māori name is Patē or Patatē. It occurs in lowland to lower montane forests from sea level to 1200 m in the North Island, South Island, and Stewart Island, covering a latitudinal...
or Seven Finger - Other PittosporumPittosporumPittosporum is a genus of about 200 species of flowering plants in the family Pittosporaceae. The genus is probably Gondwanan in origin; its present range extends from Australasia, Oceania, eastern Asia and some parts of Africa. Citriobatus is usually included here, but might be a distinct genus...
s - PōhutukawaPohutukawaThe Pōhutukawa is a coastal evergreen tree in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, that produces a brilliant display of red flowers made up of a mass of stamens. The Pōhutukawa is one of twelve Metrosideros species endemic to New Zealand...
- Poroporo or Bullibulli
- Puka
- Putaputaweta
- RangioraBrachyglottis repandaRangiora or Bushman's friend is a small, bushy tree or tall shrub endemic to New Zealand. It grows to a height of 5 to 7 metres...
or Bushman's friend - Rewarewa or New Zealand honeysuckle
- RibbonwoodPlagianthus regiusPlagianthus regius or lowland ribbonwood is a tree that is endemic to New Zealand. The Māori name is Manatu but is also known as Houi, Manaui manatu, Puruhi and Whauwhi...
or Manatu - RimuDacrydium cupressinumDacrydium cupressinum, commonly known as rimu, is a large evergreen coniferous tree endemic to the forests of New Zealand. It is a member of the southern conifer group, the podocarps. The former name "red pine" has fallen out of common use....
- Southern rātāMetrosideros umbellataSouthern rātā , is a tree endemic to New Zealand. It grows up to 15 m. or more tall with a trunk up to 1 m. or more in diameter. It produces masses of red flowers in summer...
- Tanekaha
- TaraireTaraireTaraire, Beilschmiedia tarairi, is a tree of the Lauraceae family, endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. It is a common canopy tree in lowland forests north of Auckland, often growing in association with kauri , pōhutukawa , tawapou , and with pūriri on basalt rocks and soils...
- Tawa
- Titoki
- Toatoa
- ToruToronia toruToronia toru is an endemic evergreen tree of New Zealand. It is found in the northern half of the North Island and is one of only two members of the protea family found in New Zealand....
- Totara
- Tree daisy
- Tetrapathaea tetrandra
- TutuTutu (plant)Tutu is a common name of Māori origin for plants in the genus Coriaria found in New Zealand.Six New Zealand native species are known by the name:*Coriaria angustissima*Coriaria arborea*Coriaria lurida*Coriaria plumosa...
- Yellow pineHalocarpus biformisHalocarpus biformis, known commonly as yellow pine or pink pine, is a coniferous tree endemic to New Zealand. The tree can attain heights of 10m, but in open areas is usually a low spreading bush. It is found at higher elevations in the volcanic plateau of the North Island and at lower elevations...
- Whau
- Wineberry or Makomako
Ferns
While most of the world's fernFern
A fern is any one of a group of about 12,000 species of plants belonging to the botanical group known as Pteridophyta. Unlike mosses, they have xylem and phloem . They have stems, leaves, and roots like other vascular plants...
s grow in tropical climates, New Zealand hosts an unusual number of ferns for a temperate country. These exhibit a variety of forms, from stereotypical feather-shaped tufted ferns and tree ferns to less typical filmy, leafy and climbing ferns. Both the koru
Koru
The koru is a spiral shape based on the shape of a new unfurling silver fern frond and symbolizing new life, growth, strength and peace. It is an integral symbol in Māori art, carving and tattoos...
, in the shape of an unfurling fern frond, and the silver fern are widely accepted symbols of New Zealand.
- Silver fern or Ponga, Cyathea dealbata
- New Zealand Tree FernNew Zealand Tree FernThe New Zealand tree fern, or wheki in Māori, Dicksonia squarrosa, is a medium-sized tree fern with a tall, slender brown trunk....
, Dicksonia squarrosa - Black Tree Fern or Mamaku, Cyathea medullaris
- Tuokuro, Dicksonia lanata
- Kuripaka, Dicksonia fibrosa
- King fern, Ptisana salicina
- Prince of Wales fern, Leptopteris superba
- Hound's tongue fern, Phymatosorus diversifolius
- Kidney fern or Raurenga, Trichomanes reniforme
- Hen and chickens fern, Asplenium bulbiferum
- Hanging spleenwort, Asplenium flaccidum
- Mangemange, Lygodium articulatum
Liverworts
New Zealand has a greater density of liverwortsMarchantiophyta
The Marchantiophyta are a division of bryophyte plants commonly referred to as hepatics or liverworts. Like other bryophytes, they have a gametophyte-dominant life cycle, in which cells of the plant carry only a single set of genetic information....
than any other country, due to its cool, wet and temperate climate. About half the species are endemic
Endemic (ecology)
Endemism is the ecological state of being unique to a defined geographic location, such as an island, nation or other defined zone, or habitat type; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsewhere. For example, all species of lemur are endemic to the...
to New Zealand.
There are 606 species known in New Zealand. While these include some thallose liverworts, with liver-shaped thalli, most are leafy liverworts which can be confused with mosses and filmy ferns. Undescribed species, and those not previously recorded in New Zealand, continue to be found in lowland forests. Ninety species and varieties are listed on the 2001 Department of Conservation
New Zealand Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation , commonly known by its acronym, "DOC", is the state sector organisation which deals with the conservation of New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage...
threatened plants
Threatened species
Threatened species are any speciesg animals, plants, fungi, etc.) which are vulnerable to endangerment in the near future.The World Conservation Union is the foremost authority on threatened species, and treats threatened species not as a single category, but as a group of three categories,...
list, and 157 liverwort species and varieties will be included on the next version of the list as a result of better knowledge of the group.
A three-volume work on liverworts in New Zealand is being written by John Engel and David Glenny, with the first volume published in 2008. The first volume will also be placed online in June 2009 as part of Floraseries.
Grasses
There are 187 species of native grasses in New Zealand: 157 endemic and 30 indigenous species.The grasses belong to the following tribes and genera:
- Ehrharteae
- Microlaena, 4 species
- Zotovia, 3 species
- StipeaeStipeaeThe Stipeae are a tribe of grasses within the subfamily Pooidae, with up to 600 described species. The defining morphological features of the Stipeae include single-flowered spikelets lacking a rachilla extension, and the lemmas have either a sharp point or a terminal awn .The tribe includes the...
- AchnatherumAchnatherumAchnatherum is a genus of plants which includes several species of needlegrass. Several needlegrass species have been switched between Achnatherum and genus Stipa; taxonomy between the two closely related genera is still uncertain....
, 1 species - AnemantheleAnemantheleAnemanthele is a monotypic genus of grass indigenous to New Zealand. Its only species is Anemanthele lessoniana, often called gossamer grass or New Zealand wind grass. This is a naturally rare grass in the wild but it is widely cultivated for use as an attractive ornamental garden plant...
, 1 species - AustrostipaAustrostipaAustrostipa is a genus of grass, with about 70 species.The genus includes Australasian species formerly included in the genus Stipa.Species include:*Austrostipa crinita...
, 1 species
- Achnatherum
- Poeae
- AustrofestucaAustrofestucaAustrofestuca is a genus of grass in the Poaceae family.- External links :*...
, 1 species - Festuca, 10 species
- PoaPoaPoa is a genus of about 500 species of grasses, native to the temperate regions of both hemispheres. Common names include meadow-grass , bluegrass , tussock , and speargrass. "Poa" is Greek for fodder...
, 38 species - PuccinelliaPuccinelliaPuccinellia is a genus of grasses which are known as alkali grass. These grasses grow in wet environments, often in saline or alkaline conditions...
, 4 species
- Austrofestuca
- Agrostideae
- AgrostisAgrostisAgrostis is a genus of over 100 species belonging to the grass family Poaceae, commonly referred to as the bent grasses...
, 10 species - AmphibromusAmphibromusAmphibromus is a genus of grass in the Poaceae family....
, 1 species - DeschampsiaDeschampsiaDeschampsia is a genus of grasses in the family Poaceae, commonly known as hair grass or tussock grass. There are 30 to 40 species....
, 5 species - Deyeuxia, 5 species
- DichelachneDichelachneDichelachne is a genus of grass in the Poaceae family.- External links :*...
, 4 species - EchinopogonEchinopogonEchinopogon is a genus of grass in the Poaceae family.- External links :*...
, 1 species - HierochloeHierochloeHierochloe is a genus of grasses known generally as sweetgrass. These are perennial rhizomatous grasses found in temperate regions in the Northern Hemisphere. These erect green grasses are known for their sweet scent...
, 7 species - KoeleriaKoeleriaKoeleria is a genus of true grasses which includes species known generally as Junegrasses. The genus was named after German botanist Georg Ludwig Koeler.Selected species:*Koeleria asiatica - Eurasian Junegrass*Koeleria caudata...
, 3 species - LachnagrostisLachnagrostisLachnagrostis is a genus of plants native to Australia.Species include:*Lachnagrostis adamsonii*Lachnagrostis aequata*Lachnagrostis collicola*Lachnagrostis drummondiana*Lachnagrostis lacunis*Lachnagrostis limitanea*Lachnagrostis meionectes...
, 12 species - TrisetumTrisetumTrisetum is a genus of grass in the Poaceae family.-Species:* There are about 75 species, listed in List of Trisetum species.-External links:*...
, 9 species - SimpliciaSimpliciaThe Simplicia was a French automobile manufactured only in 1910. A 10/12 hp light car, it had independent front suspension; the backbone chassis was in unit with its Aster engine and gearbox....
, 2 species
- Agrostis
- Hordeeae
- AustralopyrumAustralopyrumAustralopyrum is a genus of grass in the Poaceae family....
, 1 species - ElymusElymusIn Greek and Roman mythology, Elymus was the mythical ancestor of the Elymians, natives of Sicily. Elymus was a Trojan, a natural son of Anchises and a brother of Eryx....
, 7 species - Stenostachys, 3 species
- Australopyrum
- Danthonieae
- ChionochloaChionochloaChionochloa is a genus of tussock grass in the Poaceae family, containing mainly species of grass endemic to New Zealand such as snow tussock , red tussock and hunangamoho...
, 22 species - CortaderiaCortaderiaCortaderia is a genus of 20-25 species of grasses in the family Poaceae. Members of the genus are native to South America , New Zealand and New Guinea . The name of the genus is derived from the Argentine Spanish word cortadera, which in turn refers to the sharp serrations on the leaves....
(ToetoeToetoeToetoe are four species of tall grasses native to New Zealand and members of the Cortaderia genus. The species are C. toetoe, C. fulvida, C. splendens and C. richardii. The name toetoe comes from the Māori language.Two closely related South America species of Cortaderia, C. jubata and C...
), 5 species - Pyrrhanthera, 1 species
- RytidospermaRytidospermaRytidosperma is a genus of grass in the Poaceae family.-Species:* R. australe Clayton & Renvoize ex Connor* R. dimidiatum Connor & Edgar* R. exiguum H.P. Linder* R. fortunae-hibernae Connor & Edgar...
, 18 species
- Chionochloa
- Chlorideae
- ZoysiaZoysiaZoysia is a genus of creeping grasses native to southeast and east Asia and Australasia. These species, commonly called zoysia or zoysiagrass, are found in coastal areas or grasslands. The genus is named after the Austrian botanist Karl von Zois.-Species:*Zoysia japonica Steud.*Zoysia macrantha...
, 2 species
- Zoysia
- Leptureae
- LepturusLepturusThintail is a grass genus in the Poaceae family. The related monotypic genus Hainardia was formerly included in Lepturus. Species within this genus are often found in tropical or subtropical ecosystems; an example occurrence is on certain islands within the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral...
, 1 species
- Lepturus
- Paniceae
- Cenchrus, 1 species
- OplismenusOplismenusOplismenus is a small genus of annual or perennial grasses found in tropical Asia and extending down through South East Asia into Australia. Scholz, who studied the genus throughout the world, recognized nine species and 18 infraspecific taxa. An English translation of her work is available at...
, 1 species - SpinifexSpinifex (genus)Spinifex is a genus of perennial coastal grasses. They are one of the most common plants that grow in sand dunes along the coasts of Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia.. As they help stabilise the sand, these grasses are an important part of the entire sand dune ecosystem. Of the four species...
, 1 species
- Isachneae
- IsachneIsachneIsachne is a genus of grass in the Poaceae family.- External links :*...
, 1 species
- Isachne
- AndropogoneaeAndropogoneaeAndropogoneae is a tribe of grasses widespread throughout tropical and temperate regions. They use C4 carbon fixation physiology. All members of this tribe specifically utilize the NADP-Malic Enzyme subtype of C4 Photosynthesis. This tribe is commonly referred to as the sorghum tribe...
- ImperataImperataImperata is a small genus of grasses known as satintails. Satintail grass species are perennial rhizomatous grasses native to the tropics and warm temperate regions worldwide. They bear solid, erect stems and silky inflorescences...
, 1 species
- Imperata
Mosses
There are 523 known mossMoss
Mosses are small, soft plants that are typically 1–10 cm tall, though some species are much larger. They commonly grow close together in clumps or mats in damp or shady locations. They do not have flowers or seeds, and their simple leaves cover the thin wiry stems...
species and 23 varieties in New Zealand, with 208 genera represented. 108 species and 11 genera are considered endemic. Most New Zealand mosses originated in Gondwana
Gondwana
In paleogeography, Gondwana , originally Gondwanaland, was the southernmost of two supercontinents that later became parts of the Pangaea supercontinent. It existed from approximately 510 to 180 million years ago . Gondwana is believed to have sutured between ca. 570 and 510 Mya,...
, so there are strong relationships with species in Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
, South-eastern Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, and temperate parts of South America. The endemic genera are:
- Beeveria
- Bryobeckettia
- Bryodixonia
- Cladomnion
- Crosbya
- Cryptopodium
- Dichelodontium
- Fifea
- Hypnobartlettia
- Mesotus
- Tetracoscinodon
Sphagnum
Sphagnum
Sphagnum is a genus of between 151 and 350 species of mosses commonly called peat moss, due to its prevalence in peat bogs and mires. A distinction is made between sphagnum moss, the live moss growing on top of a peat bog on one hand, and sphagnum peat moss or sphagnum peat on the other, the...
moss is also of economic importance.
Other
- Bush lawyerBush lawyer (plant)Bush lawyer is a common name of a group of climbing blackberry plants that are found in New Zealand, many of them rampant forest vines...
- CelmisiaCelmisiaCelmisia is a genus of perennial herbs or subshrubs, in the family Asteraceae. There are around 70 species; most are endemic to New Zealand, between four and 10 are endemic to Australia. The genus was first formally described by botanist Alexandre de Cassini in 1813.Species include:* Celmisia...
(Mountain Daisy) - Megaherbs
- Nine species of mistletoeMistletoeMistletoe is the common name for obligate hemi-parasitic plants in several families in the order Santalales. The plants in question grow attached to and within the branches of a tree or shrub.-Mistletoe in the genus Viscum:...
, including Peraxilla colensoi, Peraxilla tetrapetalaPeraxilla tetrapetalaPeraxilla tetrapetala, or red mistletoe, is an endemic parasitic plant in New Zealand. The Maori names for the plant are pikirangi, pirirangi and roeroe....
, Alepis flavida, and the extinct Trilepidea adamsii (last seen in 1954). - Mount Cook LilyMount Cook LilyRanunculus lyallii , is a species of Ranunculus , endemic to New Zealand, where it occurs in the South Island and on Stewart Island at altitudes of 700–1,500 m.It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 60–100 cm tall ,...
- New Zealand flaxNew Zealand flaxNew Zealand flax describes common New Zealand perennial plants Phormium tenax and Phormium cookianum, known by the Māori names harakeke and wharariki respectively...
- New Zealand spinach (Kokihi)
- Nikau PalmNikauNikau is a palm tree, the only palm endemic to New Zealand.-Etymology:Nīkau is a Māori word; in the closely related Eastern Polynesian languages of the tropical Pacific, it refers to the fronds or the midrib of the coconut palm.- Distribution:The Nikau palm is the only palm species endemic to...
- PingaoPingaoPingao, Ficinia spiralis, also known as golden sand sedge is a coastal sedge endemic to New Zealand . Originally widespread, it has suffered severely from competition with introduced marram grass and animal grazing and now has only a patchy distribution.Leaves from this plant are used by Maori in...
- Supplejack
- Tecomanthe speciosaTecomanthe speciosaA solitary plant of Tecomanthe speciosa or the Three Kings Vine was first discovered on the Three Kings Islands, 55 km off the northern tip of New Zealand, during a scientific survey in 1945. No other specimens have ever been found in the wild. Tecomanthe is a tropical genus not otherwise...
- Wood roseWood rose (New Zealand)Dactylanthus taylorii, commonly known as wood rose or Hades flower, is a fully parasitic plant that grows on the roots of certain trees in New Zealand. The host tree responds to the presence of Dactylanthus by forming a burl-like structure that resembles a fluted wooden rose...
External links
- Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture. Lincoln University, Canterbury, New ZealandCanterbury, New ZealandThe New Zealand region of Canterbury is mainly composed of the Canterbury Plains and the surrounding mountains. Its main city, Christchurch, hosts the main office of the Christchurch City Council, the Canterbury Regional Council - called Environment Canterbury - and the University of Canterbury.-...
. - New Zealand Plant Names Database
- Bushmansfriend:NZ native plant information
- New Zealand Plant Conservation Network