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Story: Native plants and animals – overview

Megaherb, Enderby Island,

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Megaherb, Enderby Island,

Stilbocarpa robusta, flowering on Enderby Island in the Auckland Islands south of Stewart Island, is known as a megaherb and is endemic to the subantartic islands. It may have evolved to this large size because of the humid climate, cool temperatures, abundant nutrients, and absence of herbivores.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10059962

by Andrew Maloney

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How to cite this page

Bob Brockie, Native plants and animals – overview – Unusual plant features, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/10623/megaherb-enderby-island (accessed 13 June 2026).

Story by Bob Brockie, published 1 March 2009.