Native Coastal Plants of New Zealand | NZ Native Plants

Taupata

Introduction

Overview

New Zealand's coastal plants are adapted to wind, salt spray, and sandy or rocky soils. These hardy species stabilise shorelines, support coastal wildlife, and add resilient structure and colour to exposed seaside gardens.

Cranwell's Sponge Seaweed (Codium cranwelliae)

Cranwell's Sponge Seaweed

Codium cranwelliae

Codium cranwelliae (Cranwell's Sponge Seaweed): A unique green seaweed endemic to New Zealand, forming distinctive compact, spongy cushions in coastal waters.

Sand Coprosma (Coprosma acerosa)

Sand Coprosma

Coprosma acerosa

Coprosma acerosa, or Sand Coprosma, is a tough, prostrate coastal shrub with interlacing orange-toned branches, ideal for stabilizing sand dunes.

Kirk's Coprosma (Coprosma kirkii)

Kirk's Coprosma

Coprosma kirkii

Kirk's Coprosma (Coprosma kirkii) is a hardy NZ native hybrid groundcover with small glossy leaves. Perfect for coastal gardens and erosion control.

Coastal Tutu (Coriaria sarmentosa)

Coastal Tutu

Coriaria sarmentosa

Though highly toxic, this sprawling coastal shrub provides critical nitrogen fixation for degraded soils and produces glossy black berries loved by native birds.

Giant Umbrella Sedge (Cyperus ustulatus)

Giant Umbrella Sedge

Cyperus ustulatus

Robust fast-growing native sedge with sharp-edged leaves and distinctive umbrella-like flower heads, found in damp coastal and lowland areas.

Prostrate Broom (Carmichaelia appressa)

Prostrate Broom

Carmichaelia appressa

Carmichaelia appressa is a rare prostrate native broom endemic to Kaitorete Spit, forming dense mats of interlaced branches that hug the ground in sandy coastal environments.

Akeake (Dodonaea viscosa)

Akeake

Dodonaea viscosa

Fast-growing, wind-hardy small tree or large shrub with light green, wavy leaves and papery seed capsules, traditionally used for its exceptionally hard wood.

Puka (Meryta sinclairii)

Puka

Meryta sinclairii

Iconic broadleaved evergreen tree from the Three Kings Islands, renowned for its extraordinarily large, glossy green leaves and its robust, tropical appearance.

Leafless Pōhuehue (Muehlenbeckia ephedroides)

Leafless Pōhuehue

Muehlenbeckia ephedroides

A unique sprawling, grey-toned native shrub that often appears leafless, forming dense mats in rugged coastal and riverbed environments.

Kermadec Pōhutukawa (Metrosideros kermadecensis)

Kermadec Pōhutukawa

Metrosideros kermadecensis

Stunning evergreen tree endemic to New Zealand's Kermadec Islands, prized for its year-round crimson flowers and its role as a resilient coastal pioneer.

Ngaio (Myoporum laetum)

Ngaio

Myoporum laetum

Fast-growing coastal tree with bright green, translucent-spotted leaves and attractive white flowers, highly valued for its ability to withstand salt-laden winds.

Coastal Maire (Nestegis apetala)

Coastal Maire

Nestegis apetala

Handsome evergreen tree with broad, leathery leaves and resilience in exposed maritime conditions, forming a significant component of coastal and lowland forests.

Great Barrier Tree Daisy (Olearia allomii)

Great Barrier Tree Daisy

Olearia allomii

Rare native shrub endemic to Great Barrier Island, featuring leathery leaves and white daisy-like flowers, well-suited to coastal and rocky environments.

Lyall's Tree Daisy (Olearia lyallii)

Lyall's Tree Daisy

Olearia lyallii

Robust coastal shrub daisy with large leathery leaves and spectacular clusters of yellow daisy flowers, found on subantarctic islands and parts of the South Island.

Oval-Leaved Pittosporum (Pittosporum ellipticum)

Oval-Leaved Pittosporum

Pittosporum ellipticum

Oval-Leaved Pittosporum is a handsome tree with leathery leaves and fragrant dark flowers, primarily found in coastal and lowland forests of the North Island.

Hutton's Kōhūhū (Pittosporum huttonianum)

Hutton's Kōhūhū

Pittosporum huttonianum

Attractive small tree or shrub with silvery-grey foliage and dark red flowers, endemic to Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula.

Karo (Pittosporum ralphii)

Karo

Pittosporum ralphii

Hardy evergreen shrub or small tree with leathery leaves and fragrant dark red flowers, often found in coastal and lowland areas of the North Island.

Slender Kōhūhū (Pittosporum virgatum)

Slender Kōhūhū

Pittosporum virgatum

Rare and delicate native tree with a distinct juvenile stage of interlaced branches and small leaves, maturing into an elegant tree with fragrant dark red flowers.