This guide to the plants of Piha and environs is organised alphabetically according to the Maori name. If the Maori name is not know, the botanical name is used. Overall,  [ Read More ]

Aka/akakura or scarlet rata vine Metrosideros fulgens family Myrtaceae This flamboyant member of the pohutukawa family provides a wonderful show in late summer. A climber, it appears as flashes of  [ Read More ]

Hangehange Geniostoma ligustrifolium family Loganiaceae This unimpressive little shrub serves a very useful purpose in forest, especially sealing the margins of bush when adjoining clear areas and roadsides. It is  [ Read More ]

Kahakaha or tank or perching lily Collospermum hastatum family Liliaceae A common epiphyte throughout lowland forest in the North Island and in the north of the South Island, it is  [ Read More ]

Parataniwha Elatostema rugosa family Urticaceae Parataniwha is a handsome ground-cover plant with long oval ruby or purple-coloured leaves with prominent veins and a wrinkled surface. It likes shadey, damp areas  [ Read More ]

Ureure Glasswort Sarcocornia quinqueflora family Amaranthaceae You’ll find this low-growing succulent close to the shore, growing on rocks. In other locations it grows on shell banks and in salt marshes.  [ Read More ]