Conifers
Podocarpus nivalis (Mountain Totara)
The commonest alpine podocarp in New Zealand's mountains, this low-growing olive-green shrub or dwarf tree is easily-found. In summer, female plants bear bright red drupes, which are a favourite food of keas, and are deliciously sweet for humans as well!
Lepidothamnus intermedius (Yellow Silver Pine)
Devil's Punchbowl
The tiny, scale-like leaves of this beautiul tree help to identify it. It can grow up to 15m tall but in exposed sites in the mountains reaches little more than knee-high.
Other montane podocarps can be very similar and a combination of features is best used to distinguish them - Lagarostrobus colensoi (Silver Pine) has pendent juvenile foliage (like a Rimu) and adult branches have downcurved tips. L.intermedius bark has distinctive hammer-marks when mature, but obviously that isn't visible in this photo. Both are species of high rainfall areas, with Arthur' s Pass marking the eastern limit of this type of habitat in the South Island.
Other montane podocarps can be very similar and a combination of features is best used to distinguish them - Lagarostrobus colensoi (Silver Pine) has pendent juvenile foliage (like a Rimu) and adult branches have downcurved tips. L.intermedius bark has distinctive hammer-marks when mature, but obviously that isn't visible in this photo. Both are species of high rainfall areas, with Arthur' s Pass marking the eastern limit of this type of habitat in the South Island.
Phyllocladus alpinus (Mountain Toatoa)
In sheltered sites in the lowlands, this slow-growing, unusual conifer can grow to be a small tree, but plants in alpine areas grow a stunted shrubs no taller than a person. The celery-like 'leaves' make it a simple plant to recognise.
Mountain Toatoa is found throughout the mountains of the North and South Islands, where it grows in forests and scrubby habitats.
Mountain Toatoa is found throughout the mountains of the North and South Islands, where it grows in forests and scrubby habitats.
Ranunculus lyallii
Famous as the world's largest buttercup, this species is perhaps New Zealand's most stunning alpine plant. It occurs throughout the alpine zone in the South Island and Stewart Island and is instantly-recognisable even when not in flower, thanks to its very large, dark green saucer-shaped leaves.
Drosera arcturi
The commonest of New Zealand's three alpine sundews, D.arcturi is easy to recognise, as it has long, thin, strap-like leaves.
D.arcturi can be seen on all three main islands in New Zealand, growing in boggy, upland habitats. It is also widespread in the mountains of south-eastern Australia and Tasmania.
D.arcturi can be seen on all three main islands in New Zealand, growing in boggy, upland habitats. It is also widespread in the mountains of south-eastern Australia and Tasmania.
Kelleria dieffenbachii
The long, greyish-green shoots of this attractive alpine plant resemble a whipcord Hebe at first sight. Like Hebes, this species has white flowers clustered at the shoot tips; unlike Hebes, the leaves are not arranged in four ranks along the stem.
Anisotome haastii
This robust umbellifer of montane shrubby habitats is common in the South Island and is also found on Stewart Island. Its dark green, soft foliage and bold, white-flowered umbels help to identify it.
Gingidia montana
Gingidias can look very similar to Anisotome species, but one distinctive feature is that the crushed leaves smell of aniseed! Another distinctive feature of some species is that the two styles remain attached to the growing fruits, as shown in this photo.
G.montana is the largest species in New Zealand's mountains and has broad, finely-toothed, pinnate foliage. It is common in many mountain areas of the South Island and can also be found in lowland habitats in some areas, especially in the North Island.
G.montana is the largest species in New Zealand's mountains and has broad, finely-toothed, pinnate foliage. It is common in many mountain areas of the South Island and can also be found in lowland habitats in some areas, especially in the North Island.
Aciphylla monroi
Arthur's Pass is close to the southern limit of this species' distribution, where it inhabits open, tussocky grassland, often where the ground stays damp from melting snow.
A.monroi is most similar to A.similis but has fewer leaflets.
A.monroi is most similar to A.similis but has fewer leaflets.
Gaultheria crassa
This species is described in the Flora of the northern South Island section of the site.
Leucopogon colensoi (Patotara)
The slightly reddish-tinted, short, glaucous leaves of this montane sprawling shrub help to identify it. It is less widespread than its cousin L.fraseri, and also lacks the prickly foliage.
Dracophyllum longifolium (Inaka)
This attractive and widespread species is described in the Flora of Stewart Island section of the site.
Dracophyllum kirkii
This variable sprawling Dracophyllum is another South Island endemic, growing in rocky habitats, as shown here. A distinctive feature of this species is the way the linear leaves are bunched at the tips of the branches. Southern populations, like those in Arthur's Pass, have narrower leaves than those further north.
D.pubescens is a very similar species, distinguished by young leaves having a glaucous appearance and flowers clustered at the branch tips. The lack of any pubescence confirms this plant as D.kirkii.
D.pubescens is a very similar species, distinguished by young leaves having a glaucous appearance and flowers clustered at the branch tips. The lack of any pubescence confirms this plant as D.kirkii.
Coprosma serrulata
This is one of the larger alpine Coprosmas, growing as a shrub to around 1m tall. The leaves are a distinctive feature of this species, having pale, thickened, finely-toothed margins and a prominent vein network which is easily-seen when backlit by the sun, as here.
C.serrulata is endemic to the South Island, where it is found on the wetter western side of the Southern Alps in tussock and scrubby habitats.
C.serrulata is endemic to the South Island, where it is found on the wetter western side of the Southern Alps in tussock and scrubby habitats.
Coprosma cheesemanii
The low, sprawling habit and small leaves of this widespread shrub helps to identify it. It can be found thorughout New Zealand in open habitats.
Celmisia semicordata ssp.semicordata
The most robust of the montane Celmisias, this statuesque plant is both beautiful and spectacular when in bloom. The large, silvery sword-shaped leaves make it instantly-recognisable, as do the very large flowers, which can be twice the diameter of other Celmisias.
This lovely species is endemic to wetter areas of the South Island. Two other subspecies are found further south in Southland and northern Otago.
This lovely species is endemic to wetter areas of the South Island. Two other subspecies are found further south in Southland and northern Otago.
Celmisia sessiliflora
One of the most attractive Celmisias in my opinion, this lovely species produces spreading pale grey hummocks composed of tufts of narrow, linear leaves, all studded with delicate, nearly sessile flowers.
This species can be found across nearly all of the South Island, from the subalpine zone upwards and can tolerate a range of conditions from dry, windswept ridges to saturated boggy depressions.
This species can be found across nearly all of the South Island, from the subalpine zone upwards and can tolerate a range of conditions from dry, windswept ridges to saturated boggy depressions.
Celmisia alpina
Celmisia alpina is a diminutive species that could easily be overlooked, as it doesn't form conspicuous mats or patches and has short, very narrow foliage. 'Large' plants of this species may be only 5cm tall!
C.alpina is a bog species and is widespread in low-alpine parts of the South Island.
C.alpina is a bog species and is widespread in low-alpine parts of the South Island.
Celmisia verbascifolia
One of the largest onf the montane Celmisias, this handsome species is named for its Verbascum-like leaves (although they don't look like any Verbascum I've seen!). The leaves themselves are thick, robust and dark green.
This species is endemic to the South Island and is also one of few Celmisias to occur on Stewart Island.
This species is endemic to the South Island and is also one of few Celmisias to occur on Stewart Island.
Celmisia laricifolia
Named for its short, linear larch-like foliage, this little mat-forming Celmisia is common in all alpine areas of the South Island. Patches may be as little as 2cm tall but can spread to form mats up to half a metre across.
The needle-like leaves with recurved margins make this an easy species to recognise, apart from in northwest Nelson, where C.similis occurs.
The needle-like leaves with recurved margins make this an easy species to recognise, apart from in northwest Nelson, where C.similis occurs.
Celmisia spectabilis
Named for its spectacular appearance, this large-growing Celmisia grows as a robust rosette in grassy or open habitats. Identification is easy for this common plant - the shiny green lance-shaped leaves have downy undersides.
C.spectabilis can be found in dry montane habitats in the North and South Islands.
C.spectabilis can be found in dry montane habitats in the North and South Islands.
Celmisia discolor (probably)
One of several similar-looking, wooly-leaved Celmisias, it's impossible to be certain whether the plant shown here is definitely C.discolor. The greyish-green colour of the leaves and sprawling habit both fit C.discolor, but there's an outside chance it could be C.allanii although this usually has much greyer leaves due to a thicker coating of white hairs and is unrecorded from Arthur's Pass, to the best of my knowledge. C.incana (see below) has much furrier, almost white leaves.
Celmisia incana
As its scientific name alludes to, this Celmisia is covered with white-woolly hairs. Unusually for an alpine species, it has a more northerly distribution in New Zealand, being widespread in the North Island and reaching its southern limit around the Arthur's Pass area.
It is a plant of dry montane habitats (which explains it absence further south) and grows as sprawling patches with typical white flowers. The similar C.discolor (see above) can occur in the same areas but has greener leaves.
It is a plant of dry montane habitats (which explains it absence further south) and grows as sprawling patches with typical white flowers. The similar C.discolor (see above) can occur in the same areas but has greener leaves.
Celmisia armstrongii
As spectacular out of bloom as when the flowers are present, this robust Celmisia is easy to recognise and often conspicuous due to its size. The lance-shaped, erect bronze-tinged leaves from a usually solitary rosette are enough to distinguish it in many cases.
C.armstrongii is a high-rainfall, subalpine species, endemic to the South Island.
C.armstrongii is a high-rainfall, subalpine species, endemic to the South Island.
Raoulia grandiflora
This elegant, cushion-forming plant can be seen throughout most of montane New Zealand. In its overall appearance it more-closely resembles a cushion-forming Celmisia than a Raoulia, thanks to its large flowers (hence the scientific name) and lax habit. The flowerheads are more papery (thanks to the bracts) and have shorter rays than Celmisias, however.
Leucogenes grandiceps
The prostrate, sprawling stems with small, silvery-hairy foliage help identify this well-known plant, even when it is not in flower.
It can be found in rocky areas high in the mountains throughout the South Island and on Stewart Island.
It can be found in rocky areas high in the mountains throughout the South Island and on Stewart Island.
Brachyglottis bidwillii
This species is described in the Flora of the North Island section of the site.
Dolichoglottis lyallii
This species is described in the Flora of Fiordland NP section of the site.
Dolichoglottis scorzoneroides
Unlike the species above, this Dolichoglottis has white flowers. In this respect, it resembles a Celmisia, but has narrow, soft-hairy leaves and the flowers occur in clusters, rather than singly.
D.scorzoneroides is endemic to the South Island and Stewart Island.
D.scorzoneroides is endemic to the South Island and Stewart Island.
Gentiana bellidifolia var. australis
The leaves of this widespread mountain plant look almost fleshy and have a characteristic tongue-shaped profile. When present, the attractive flowers are white and have five petals.
Donatia novae-zelandiae
A common plant of wetter parts of the Southern Alps, Stewart Island and the far south of the North Island mountains, Donatia novae-zelandiae forms a dense, dark green cushion, often in boggy areas but not always. The species is also found in the mountains of Tasmania.
This species is very similar to Phyllachne colensoi (see below), but has flowers with pointed petals and leaves with blunt points.
This species is very similar to Phyllachne colensoi (see below), but has flowers with pointed petals and leaves with blunt points.
Phyllachne colensoi
This widespread, cushion-forming plant can be seen in all major mountainous areas of New Zealand. As mentioned above, it is rather similar to Donatia novae-zelandiae (see above for details) and the two can occur at the same sites. Like Donatia, it also occurs in the mountains of Tasmania.
Ourisia macrocarpa var.calycina
The southern subspecies of this robust, subalpine Ourisia, O.m.calycina can grow to over half a metre tall. Its large leaves have conspicuous veins and finely-toothed margins and the flowering stalk bears a dozen or more flowers.
This is much the largest South Island member of the genus. The nominate form, O.m.macrocarpa occurs in the North Island.
This is much the largest South Island member of the genus. The nominate form, O.m.macrocarpa occurs in the North Island.
Ourisia caespitosa
This species is described in the Flora of Otago section of the site.
Hebe subalpina
This species is described in the Flora of Fiordland NP section of the site.
Hebe canterburiensis
Growing to around 1 metre tall, this attractive shrub is not restricted to Canterbury, but is certainly more common here (in the mountains) than the rest of the country - the species has its stronghold in wet parts of the mountains in the northern half of the South Island.
H.canterburiensis is similar to H.odora, H.cockayneana and H.pauciramosa (see below) but can be distinguished by its many-branched habit (cf. H.pauciramosa), only lateral flower spikes (cf. H.odora) and twisted leaves and smooth stems (cf. H.cockayneana).
H.canterburiensis is similar to H.odora, H.cockayneana and H.pauciramosa (see below) but can be distinguished by its many-branched habit (cf. H.pauciramosa), only lateral flower spikes (cf. H.odora) and twisted leaves and smooth stems (cf. H.cockayneana).
Hebe pauciramosa (probably)
As mentioned above, this species is very similar to H.canterburiensis and critical details like the texture of the stems and aspect of the leaves are needed to separate them. Based on this photo, the leaves do not appear to be twisted and the leaf apices are fairly pointed - both these features suggest H.pauciramosa, as does the sparsely-branched habit of the plant.
Anaphalioides bellidioides (syn. Helichrysum bellidioides)
This beautiful mountain species is utterly unmistakable when in flower. The white 'petals' are actually papery bracts surrounding the true flowers in the centre. In dull weather, the bracts curl inwards to cover the flowers. It is a common species throughout New Zealand's mountains.
Ozothamnus vauvilliersii
Text coming soon!
Olearia ilicifolia
This species is described in the Flora of the south-west South Island section of the site.
Hoheria lyallii (Mountain Ribbonwood)
Growing as a small tree, this species often forms groves in montane areas, where it can be the only tree present amongst otherwise shrubby vegetation. Mountain Ribbonwood has distinctive pale green, toothed leaves with heat-shaped (cordate) bases. Hoheria and the related genus Plagianthus are among New Zealand's few deciduous tree species. H.lyallii is almost restricted to the South Island mountains but also occurs on Mt Taranaki.
Pseudopanax colensoi var. ternatus
This is very much the upland counterpart of P.arboreus and looks very similar at first sight. Unlike that species, though, the leaflets are virtually unstalked, and toothed only in their upper halves. P.arboreus does not occur in Arthur's Pass.
Ternatus is a widespread South Island form with mainly three leaflets instead of five.
Ternatus is a widespread South Island form with mainly three leaflets instead of five.
Phormium cookianum (Wharariki / Mountain Flax)
This tall plant is the mountain cousin of the very familiar Phormium tenax grown in many gardens and native to lowland New Zealand. P. cookianum has red flowers with green tips and orange-yellow anthers, as seen in the first photo.
Like its lowland relative, Mountain Flax is very important nectar source for birds such as the tui.
Like its lowland relative, Mountain Flax is very important nectar source for birds such as the tui.
Aporostylis bifolia
A common and distinctive orchid, this montane species is widespread upland areas of the South Island. It is less common on the North Island and also occurs commonly on Stewart Island. Like many other native upland species, it can be found down to sea level in the cooler south (a photo from a coastal forest is here).
Aporostylis is easy to identify: its solitary white flowers have yellow marking on the labellum (not obvious in these photos), the stem and ovary are covered in short, glandular hairs and the two leaves are different in size.
Aporostylis is easy to identify: its solitary white flowers have yellow marking on the labellum (not obvious in these photos), the stem and ovary are covered in short, glandular hairs and the two leaves are different in size.
Caladenia lyallii (White Fingers)
This beautiul orchid is locally common in alpine scrub and grassland, and always a welcome sight. It is quite variable, but always has four fairly narrow, white petals in the lower half of the flower. It blooms in mid-summer.
The similar species, C.alpina, has much broader petals, which touch each other, giving a much broader, fuller appearance to the flower.
The similar species, C.alpina, has much broader petals, which touch each other, giving a much broader, fuller appearance to the flower.
Luzula crinita var.petrieana
Native to the South and Stewart Islands, this is a green, hairless woodrush with conspicuous very dark brown, clustered flowerheads. It grows in rocky habitats.
Blechnum montanum
This species is described in the Flora of the south-west South Island section of the site.
Lycopodium fastigiatum (Mountain Clubmoss)
Lycopodium species can be quite similar to look at, and so the habit of the plant and the spore-bearing reproductive spikes becme important considerations.
L.fastigiatum has a bushy, erect habit with many branches (hence the name) and has stalked, pale spore-bearing spikes at the shoot tips. It is very common in the mountains and can be found across New Zealand, as well as in Tasmania and eastern Australia.
L.fastigiatum has a bushy, erect habit with many branches (hence the name) and has stalked, pale spore-bearing spikes at the shoot tips. It is very common in the mountains and can be found across New Zealand, as well as in Tasmania and eastern Australia.