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