Dracophyllum-Olearia Low Forest and Scrub

This occupies similar but older sites than Hoheria glabrata low forest. Dominance is shared by the mountain ribbonwood (low forest only), Dracophyllum longifolium (scrub only), D. traversii and Olearia lacunosa, the last two being up to 7 m tall. The genus Dracophyllum, although belonging to the dicotyledon class of the flowering plants has long, narrow, parallel-veined leaves similar, in the larger examples, to those of such monocotyledons as the cabbage tree (Cordyline australis) or even the pineapple. Indeed, mountain groves of Dracophyllum traversii are sometimes known locally as 'pineapple forests'. This species with its candelabra-like form, and its sword-like leaves forming a deep litter on the forest floor, is certainly the most distinctive member of the community.

At higher altitudes in the south-west of the South Island Dracophyllum traversii is replaced by the smaller D. menziesii and the equally distinctive D. fiordense, which has an often unbranched trunk up to 2 m high topped by an almost spherical mop of strongly downwardly curved leaves (Fig. 92). Dracophyllum longifolium is one of many shrub species with smaller needle leaves and a heath-like appearance. Indeed the family page 166

Figure 92 A group of unbranched shrubs of Dracophyllum fiordense together with needle-leaved Dracophyllums and other shrubs. The grass is Chionochloa flavescens. Fiordland.
Photo: Jane Maxwell.

to which Dracophyllum belongs, Epacridaceae, is closely related to the heath family, Ericaceae.

Olearia lacunosa also has narrow, although net-veined leaves, which are somewhat like those of juvenile lancewood (Pseudopanax crassifolius). Some of the other shrub species with relatively large thick leaves are Griselinia littoralis (broadleaf), Pseudopanax colensoi (mountain five-finger) and Olearia colensoi (leatherwood). Pseudopanax simplex has somewhat page 167smaller, thinner leaves and Myrsine divaricata and Coprosma pseudocuneata have very small leaves. Prominent ground plants are Blechnum 'procerum' and the tussock-like Astelia nervosa.

Dominance of the shrub species varies from place to place in this community type, but it is at its most impenetrable where Olearia colensoi with its stiff almost cardboard-like leaves predominates, as in the North Island ranges, the westernmost coastal ranges in the South Island and in Stewart Island.