Story: Nelson region

Mountain neinei, Mt Arthur

Mountain neinei, Mt Arthur

These small trees are found near the treeline in north-west Nelson and on wet mountains of the northern North Island. Mountain neinei (Dracophyllum traversii) have tufts of long, often red-tinged, leaves at the ends of spreading branches. They are in the genus Dracophyllum, which contains 27 native species, many of which are hard to distinguish. Mountain neinei is the longest-living of New Zealand’s small indigenous trees, with individuals recorded at between 500 and 600 years old.

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Claude Malet
Photograph by Claude J. Malet

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How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Nelson region - Climate and environment', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/28813/mountain-neinei-mt-arthur (accessed 17 April 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, updated 1 Aug 2015