Threatened plants of New Zealand

The native flora of New Zealand is unique as it has evolved in isolation for millions of years. 80% of our trees, ferns and flowering plants are endemic (found only in New Zealand). About 1–15% of the total land area of New Zealand is covered with native flora, from tall kauri and kohekohe forests to rainforest dominated by rimu, beech, tawa, matai and rata; ferns and flax; dunelands with their spinifex and pingao; alpine and subalpine herb fields; and scrub and tussock. 

New Zealand has over 2,300 species of indigenous plants, with over 30% that are threatened to various degrees or are naturally uncommon. Most of New Zealand’s threatened plants are endemic, meaning they are not naturally found anywhere else in the world.  Unfortunately this high level of endemism means that many of our plants are vulnerable to extinction. Many of New Zealand’s threatened plants have become at risk of extinction in the wild due to a combination of habitat loss due to destruction and/or degradation; browsing and grazing by introduced animals; encroachment of invasive weeds, but also due to population isolation.

Many of New Zealand's threatened plants are available from nurseries and garden centres, but some are only available from specialist nurseries. Even though many of our threatened plants are quite commonly cultivated, there are a few that have been driven to almost extinction in their natural habitat, eg. Clianthus puniceus, Kaka beak.  NEVER take plant material, cuttings or seed from these plants in the wild. Many threatened native plants generally have similar cultivation requirements to other more commonly grown native plants, particularly those that are from the same or closely related genera. Most native shrubs and herbs grow well in average garden conditions provided they have adequate moisture, and they will benefit from mulching. Some threatened plants are easily cultivated and others have specific requirements, eg Celmisia species. Some have good horticultural attributes while others have only intrinsic or botanical interest value. Without cultivation of these threatened species, and people taking an interest in some of New Zealand’s more vulnerable species, they can certainly be lost forever. So if you get the chance, make a home for some of our threatened or naturally uncommon plants in your garden, and you’ll be surprised at what some of our more unique plants can bring to your garden!