: Aciphylla subflabellata, kuri kuri, speargrass is endemic to the South Island in the east from south-eastern Marlborough to Southland. It is found in montane to subalpine from 300-1400 m a.s.l., usually in dry sites on alluvial terraces, gentle rolling slopes and colluvium, intermontane basins amongst short or tall tussocks and on the margins of grey scrub, sometimes on or near rock outcrops or amongst boulders. It is a stout perennial forming stout rosettes up to 40cm high and up to 75cm in diameter, it is recognised by its grey-green or brownish grey-green colour and its very slender leaflets. It has yellow flowers that occur on stout and very spiky flowering stems up to 1m tall from November to January, with seed developing from December to late January. It is widespread but generally never common, and is possibly more threatened than believed because many of its lowland habitats are extremely modified, weed infested and plants are browsed where accessible by cattle, rabbits and hares. Current herbarium evidence suggests that this species is still poorly known but that from available evidence it is naturally uncommon over large parts of its stated range. One of the easier species to cultivate, though it dislikes humidity and excessive moisture. Should be planted in a sunny, free draining situation, with a cool root run for its long tap root, and once planted do not transplant or disturb roots. Can be grown in a tub.

Viola lyallii, haaka, or New Zealand native violet is endemic to the North and South Islands, but uncommon north of the Waikato. It is an abundant species of coastal, lowland and montane to subalpine wetlands, swamps, bogs and mires, also in wet places within riparian forest.  It is found from sea-level to 1800m asl, and is most common in lowland to montane wetlands. This small creeping perennial herb up to 10cm tall with pale green heart shaped leaves. It likes filtered light and a moist soil, and could be easily grown in a rock garden with these conditions. It has white flowers from October to January with some purplish-pink on petals.

Pittosporum cornifolium or tawhirikaro is endemic to the North and South Islands. It is found from sea-level to 600m asl. in lowland to lower montane forests, and on rocks throughout the North Island, and from the Marlborough Sounds to West Wanganui Inlet in the South Island. Although normally an epiphyte, it will grow quite well in a well-drained soil that has been enriched with plenty of humus. It prefers a shaded or part shaded position. In this situation it will become a very attractive shrub up to 1.5 -1.8m tall. It is a very distinctive shrub with a rather open habit, and thin branches, with shining, dark green leaves that are mostly in whorls. Its flowers are light red or yellowish in the spring. It is relatively hardy to lowland districts throughout NZ.

Olearia cymbifolia is endemic to the South Island, and is found in scrub-land in mountains and sub-alpine districts, east of the main divide from Nelson and Marlborough through to Otago from 610m to 1200m asl. A much branched and very neat shrub with an erect habit has much-rolled, boat shaped leaves, and grows up to 1 to 2m tall. It has white flowers with a yellow centre from November to January. Hardy, and very drought resistant. In the garden it can make quite a neat shrub which can be useful in the front positions of a border.

Veronica (Hebe) venustula is endemic, and is found in the North Island in mountain regions including the Ruakumara Range, volcanoes in the central North Island, Mt Taranaki, and the Pouakai, Kaimanawa, Kaweka, Ruahine and Aorangi ranges. It is found in subalpine shrubland, and penalpine grassland, and apparently at lower altitudes in the eastern Waiarapa. It is a bushy shrub up to 1.4-1.8m high with white flowers (Dec) Jan-Feb (Mar). It is very hardy, can be pruned after flowering. Sometimes misidentified as Hebe odora, it is more closely related to Hebe brachysiphon.

 Astelia nervosa, kakaha or mountain astelia is endemic to the North, South and Stewart Islands. It is found in alpine zones, usually  in damp, often peaty areas of mixed tussock-scrub, tussock grassland and herbfields from Mount Hikurangi to Mount Taranaki and Taupo in the north and ascends to 1500m asl. It widespread in the south where it descends to about 100m asl., sometimes growing in beech forest. Astelia nervosa is a variable species, both in size and leaf coloration. Those found in lowland districts not infrequently have leaves that may be varying shades of green, while in alpine districts the silvery pellicle on the upper service may be much more pronounced so plants have a more silvery in appearance. Other forms can have reddish or bronze hues, and there are numerous varieties cultivated for these colours. It is a common component of mountain vegetation particularly above the tree-line.  An attractive plant that grows from 60cm - 1m in height with arching leaves, that makes an excellent specimen, or can be used as a groundcover. It grows in sun or shade, moist or wet conditions. It has bright orange fruit from February to May after flowering from October to January.

Neomyrtus pendunculata or rohutu is endemic to the North, South and Stewart Islands from near Kaitaia (Mangamuka) south but generally scarce in Northland and Auckland. It is found in coastal to montane forest and shrubland, and is often a conspicuous component of the understorey of lowland Podocarp riparian forest, but also a frequent component of grey scrub in some parts of the South Island. Unless flowering or fruiting Neomyrtus is often overlooked or mistaken for the superficially similar Lophomyrtus obcordata with which it often grows. The small roundish leaves (6-20mm x 4-15mm) are opposite, thick and leathery with thickened smooth margins. They have prominent oil glands on the underside. In January it develops white open flowers (6-7mm) on 15mm long stalks. The flowers have long stamens. The flowers are followed in February-June with broadly ovoid 6-8 mm long orange, red or yellow berries on long stalks. They contain 2-5 seeds. It is reported that a decoction was made from the bark and berries of the rōhutu tree used as a medicine in cases of difficult menstruation. The ripe berries contain anthocyanins, reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

 Libocedrus bidwillii, pahautea, kaikawaka or NZ cedar is endemic to the North and South Islands. It is found in the North from Te Moehau, Te Aroha and Mt Pirongia south, and can be found at low levels on the West Coast of the South Island. It grows in montane to subalpine regions from 250-1200 m.a.s.l. but exclusively upper montane in northern part of range. It is usually found in mixed cloud forest, often at the margins where forest grades into subalpine scrub or wetlands. This species seems to prefer regions of moderate to high rainfall and long periods of cloud cover. It forms a tree of up to 25-30m high with a truck that can be 1m through. It is a dense rich green conical tree with spreading branches that likes deep rich damp soils. It has separate male and female cones that appear on the same tree.