Forest Vines to Snow Tussocks: The Story of New Zealand Plants

Canopy

Canopy

North of 36°S on the Northland Peninsula, taraire ( Beilschmiedia tarairi), with its broad mesophyll leaves, dominates the canopy, usually in association with kamahi's northern relative towai ( Weinmannia silvicola). At higher altitudes in Northland, taraire's relative tawa (B. tawa), with its smaller, willow-like leaves, is a minor component of the canopy, but from about 36°S it replaces taraire as the dominant at low altitudes and continues in this role as far as the north-east of the South Island at

Figure 60 A grove of nikau palms (Rhopalostylis sapida) growing near the sea at 42°S on the west coast of the South Island south of Westport.Photo: J. W. Dawson.

Figure 60 A grove of nikau palms ( Rhopalostylis sapida) growing near the sea at 42°S on the west coast of the South Island south of Westport.
Photo: J. W. Dawson.

42°S. Succeeding tawa altitudinally as the canopy dominant in the North Island from about 39°S is kamahi ( Weinmannia racemosa); it also replaces tawa in the lowland conifer broadleaf forests of most of the South Island and Stewart Island.

Several other species also contribute to the canopy. Puriri ( Vitex lucens), which has strong tropical affinities, is limited to the northern half of the North Island; tanekaha or celery pine ( Phyllocladus trichomanoides) and black maire ( Nestegis cunninghamii) reach the northern South Island. 60 Hinau ( Elaeocarpus dentatus) reaches the central South Island, while its higher altitude relative pokaka ( E. hookerianus) reaches Stewart Island.

On the west and south of the South Island southern rata ( Metrosideros umbellata) contributes to the canopy of kamahi forests.