Plants of the Northern Coast

of New Zealand

This project is a submission from Tony Foster, a high school teacher in New Zealand. It details the biology of plants found on the Northern Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. His high school Biology class has also submitted a study of the succession of organisms that exist along the shoreline of the ocean. To see the class's project, press here. If you would like to see an amazing collection of plant photographs, along with a key to help you identify New Zealand plants, go to The Bushman's Friend, designed by Tony foster, at

u The coastal fringe is a particularly tough environment for plants. This area receives strong salt laden winds and a high amount of sunshine hours. Soils are often sandy and do not hold a lot of water. Sand dunes and their soils move in the strong winds. Coastal headlands, bluffs and cliffs are also light in strong soils. Plants that survive on the coast need special adaptations that help them reduce water loss and survive in dry conditions.

uSome adaptions plants have to help them survive in this tough coastal environment include:

Glossy leaves formed by a waxy cuticle that stops loss of water, reduces salt burning.

u Small leaves reduce leaf area and so reduce evapotranspiration

u Many plants have horizontal runners that scramble through the shifting sand

u A large root volume to capture all available water

u Leaves that roll up in dry conditions

Click on the photographs below to learn about the neat adaptations of various plants.

Plants with waxy leaves. More Waxy Leaves

Carnivorous plants Light wood

Plants with small leaves Plants with odd adaptations

Plants also found as ornamentals Plants of Northland

Plants of the sand dunes Christmas plant

Photographic credits: all photos were were taken by Tony Foster