80 The Vegetation of the Sea-coast. 
only the true coastal plants remain. Astelia Banksii, in pure colonies, is ab- 
undant on the rock-face. The thick, stiff, linear, tapering leaves, 1.4 m long, 
dark-green above and silvery beneath are in great tufted masses. Thick 
masses of dead leaf-bases surround the living leaf-sheaths and function as a water- 
holding and food-containing apparatus. Peperomia Endlicheri, a succulent herb, 
which spreads by means of its far-creeping stems, is abundant, both as an 
epiphyte and on the rock. The ferns Asplenzium lucidum, Polypodium diversi- 
folium and Cyclophorus serpens are often common. Arthropodium cirrhatum 
Fig. 10. Belt of Metrosideros tomentosa on sandy ground below cliff; west coast of Auckland to. N. 
of Waitakarei River. North Auckland botanical district. Photo L. Cockayne, 
may be so abundant as to cover the rock with greenery for many square 
metres. Mats of Poa anceps var. condensata are often frequent. The shrubs, 
Coriaria ruscifolig, Leptospermum scoparium, Pseudopanax Lessoni, Veronica 
macrocarpa, V. salicifolia, Olearta furfuracea and Brachyglottis repanda may be 
more or less common, and so too, Arundo conspicua, Phormium tenax, Rhagodia 
nutans, Mesembryanthemum australe with its accompanying halophytes, as well 
as other coastal, forest or scrub plants, according to the degree of shelter. 
If the cliffs are much more exposed than the above, many of the species 
cited are absent and Merrosideros tomentasa will decrease in quantity, until, on 
the most exposed cliffs, it is wanting. 
