Flora of Mana Island
Diverse Flora Means Diverse Habitat
Mana Island contains many native trees and plants that you will easily recognise, like kowhai, cabbage trees, and flax. It even has a historic pohutakawa tree, planted by one of the residents many years ago.
However, there are also some not-so-usual floral residents. One the guides often get asked about in summer is rauhuia (linum monogynum) or linen flax. Its white, wind tolerant blooms rustle in the wind, catching the eye.
Speargrass
This plant hosts the speargrass weevil.
Harakeke / Flax
Flax weevil monitoring at night.
Cabbage Trees / Tī Kōuka
M. Island trip. 2019
Golden Hair Lichen
Kanuka Grove
Kanuka Grove by Forest Valley. Photo: Brendan Doran
Flowering Vine
Clematis Forsteri / Pōānanga, Pikiarero Photo: Christopher Stephens, 2016
Tauhinu / Cottonwood
Tauhinu, scientific name Ozothamnus leptophyllus, is much loved by native copper butterlfies.
Hebe / Koromiko
Hebes are another favourite of native copper butterflies.