Vegetation 3
There is more than just snow on the Mount!
Flora of Tongariro and Ruapehu.
The flora of Tongariro and the surrounding region partakes of an alpine character, and is both varied and beautiful. Indeed, not only are many of the mountains forming the group clothed with a dense and attractive vegetation, but where the forests spread down to the plains, the trees and shrubs are often so disposed by Nature as to form perfect gardens, which appear to have been artificially planted.
Alpine plants
There is a wide diversity of alpine plants in the park, some of which live at high altitudes. In the summer months there are many that have colourful flowers. It is remarkable to notice how apparently delicate plants flourish in such a harsh climate!
Large areas of the park are inhabited by beautiful golden and red tussocks. This is now also inhabited by invasive introduced heather (external site).
Some of the flowering alpine plants you are likely to see in the summer include purple parahebe, various mountain daisies, mountain buttercups, little white foxgloves and eyebrights, and the beautiful and hardy gentian - which flowers later in the summer and sometimes as late as May.
www.flickr.com/photos/97201328@N02/36219469274/in/datepos...
www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/central...
Vegetation 3
There is more than just snow on the Mount!
Flora of Tongariro and Ruapehu.
The flora of Tongariro and the surrounding region partakes of an alpine character, and is both varied and beautiful. Indeed, not only are many of the mountains forming the group clothed with a dense and attractive vegetation, but where the forests spread down to the plains, the trees and shrubs are often so disposed by Nature as to form perfect gardens, which appear to have been artificially planted.
Alpine plants
There is a wide diversity of alpine plants in the park, some of which live at high altitudes. In the summer months there are many that have colourful flowers. It is remarkable to notice how apparently delicate plants flourish in such a harsh climate!
Large areas of the park are inhabited by beautiful golden and red tussocks. This is now also inhabited by invasive introduced heather (external site).
Some of the flowering alpine plants you are likely to see in the summer include purple parahebe, various mountain daisies, mountain buttercups, little white foxgloves and eyebrights, and the beautiful and hardy gentian - which flowers later in the summer and sometimes as late as May.
www.flickr.com/photos/97201328@N02/36219469274/in/datepos...
www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/central...