Native Shrubs of New Zealand | NZ Native Plants

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Introduction

Overview

New Zealand native shrubs are a diverse group of plants that fill important roles in forests, shrublands, and gardens. They provide food and shelter for birds and insects, stabilize soils, and add structure to natural and designed landscapes. Notable species include Coprosma repens (Taupata), Griselinia littoralis (Broadleaf), and Olearia paniculata (Akiraho). Many native shrubs are valued for their resilience, attractive foliage, and ability to thrive in a range of conditions, making them popular choices for restoration and landscaping projects. Species like Lacebark with its distinctive textured bark and narrow leaves, and Muskwood with its aromatic silvery-grey foliage, add unique architectural elements to gardens. Alpine species like Bush Snowberry , Leatherwood , and Leafy Tree Daisy are particularly hardy, thriving in challenging mountain environments with their distinctive foliage shapes and reliable flowering.

Dwarf Mistletoe (Korthalsella salicornioides)

Dwarf Mistletoe

Korthalsella salicornioides

Tiny, succulent parasitic plant with beaded stems that closely resemble the branches of its common hosts, Mānuka and Kānuka.

Ramarama (Lophomyrtus bullata)

Ramarama

Lophomyrtus bullata

Beautiful evergreen shrub or small tree with distinctive blistered leaves that turn deep reddish-bronze in winter.

Rōhutu (Lophomyrtus obcordata)

Rōhutu

Lophomyrtus obcordata

Rōhutu is a slender evergreen shrub with heart-shaped leaves and attractive white flowers, followed by berries that change from red to black.

Poataniwha (Melicope simplex)

Poataniwha

Melicope simplex

Hardy divaricating shrub with small, rounded leaves that emit a pleasant citrus scent, white flowers and black seeds.

Manakura (Melicytus micranthus)

Manakura

Melicytus micranthus

Hardy divaricating shrub with tiny leaves and greenish flowers, typically found in damp lowland forests and swamp margins.

Parkinson's Rātā (Metrosideros parkinsonii)

Parkinson's Rātā

Metrosideros parkinsonii

Rare and striking native shrub found in high-rainfall forests of the South Island and Little Barrier Island.

Shrubby Tororaro (Muehlenbeckia astonii)

Shrubby Tororaro

Muehlenbeckia astonii

Unique and threatened divaricating shrub with interlaced orange-toned branches, ideal for hedging and restoration.

Northern Māpou (Myrsine aquilonia)

Northern Māpou

Myrsine aquilonia

Robust evergreen shrub or small tree endemic to the North Island, featuring glossy green leaves and attractive small fruit.

Chatham Island Māpou (Myrsine chathamica)

Chatham Island Māpou

Myrsine chathamica

Resilient evergreen shrub endemic to the Chatham Islands, known for its glossy, fleshy leaves and dark purple fruit.

Weeping Matipo (Myrsine divaricata)

Weeping Matipo

Myrsine divaricata

Hardy divaricating shrub with a distinctive weeping habit and tiny heart-shaped leaves, producing small purple berries.

Great Barrier Tree Daisy (Olearia allomii)

Great Barrier Tree Daisy

Olearia allomii

Rare and attractive native shrub endemic to Great Barrier Island, featuring leathery leaves and white daisy-like flowers.

Coastal Tanguru (Olearia angulata)

Coastal Tanguru

Olearia angulata

Olearia angulata is a hardy native tree daisy with wavy-edged, leathery leaves and small yellow daisy flowers, typically found in coastal and lowland areas of the North Island.

Fragrant Tree Daisy (Olearia fimbriata)

Fragrant Tree Daisy

Olearia fimbriata

Rare and distinctive divaricating shrub with small leaves and highly fragrant flowers, found in the eastern South Island.

Akepiro (Olearia furfuracea)

Akepiro

Olearia furfuracea

Versatile native tree daisy with leathery, dark green leaves and white daisy flowers, thriving in coastal and lowland environments.

Gardner's Tree Daisy (Olearia gardneri)

Gardner's Tree Daisy

Olearia gardneri

Critically threatened deciduous shrub with small leaves and pale yellow flowers, found in only a few North Island locations.

Shore Tree Daisy (Olearia lineata)

Shore Tree Daisy

Olearia lineata

Graceful native shrub with extremely narrow leaves and small, fragrant daisy flowers, found in open forests and shrublands.

Lyall's Tree Daisy (Olearia lyallii)

Lyall's Tree Daisy

Olearia lyallii

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

Swamp Tree Daisy (Olearia telmatica)

Swamp Tree Daisy

Olearia telmatica

Recently described species of divaricating shrub with small leaves and fragrant flowers, adapted to damp, swampy habitats.

Stiff Pittosporum (Pittosporum rigidum)

Stiff Pittosporum

Pittosporum rigidum

Hardy divaricating shrub with small, leathery leaves and dark red fragrant flowers, adapted to subalpine scrub and rocky slopes.

Needle-leaved Tōtara (Podocarpus acutifolius)

Needle-leaved Tōtara

Podocarpus acutifolius

Small podocarp shrub with narrow, sharp-pointed leaves and edible berries, endemic to the northern and western South Island.

Lowland Horopito (Pseudowintera axillaris)

Lowland Horopito

Pseudowintera axillaris

Elegant evergreen shrub with glossy green, pepper-tasting leaves and red berries, commonly found in lowland forests.

Horopito (Pseudowintera colorata)

Horopito

Pseudowintera colorata

Colourful native shrub with blotched yellow-green and red leaves, renowned for its spicy taste and medicinal properties.

Northland Horopito (Pseudowintera insperata)

Northland Horopito

Pseudowintera insperata

Rare and localized evergreen shrub with glossy leaves, endemic to Northland and distinguished by its unique floral characteristics.

Travers's Horopito (Pseudowintera traversii)

Travers's Horopito

Pseudowintera traversii

Compact evergreen shrub with small leathery leaves and tiny white flowers, endemic to the northwest South Island.

Taurepo (Rhabdothamnus solandri)

Taurepo

Rhabdothamnus solandri

Charming native shrub known for its vibrant orange or yellow trumpet-shaped flowers, adapted for pollination by native honeyeaters.