- 86 The Vegetation of the Sea-coast. 
& 
 Senecio. The species of the genus cited above belong to a section distinguished 
he sage-green colour is relieved by ie nn of Griselinia Hittoralis, 
2. Olearia sub-association. 
Dominance of Olearia denotes a more exposed station than does that of 
by their large flower-heads with rays or discs purple in some species and 
stiff, toothed, more or less lanceolate leaves covered beneath with white ad- 
pressed tomentum. 0. angustifolia and O. Trailli Nraia fully developed are 
actually trees (Plate XI, Fig. 16). 
The sub-association is strongly xerophytic, a condition demanded by its 
position on headlands and islets fairly in the track of the frequent, violent, 
cold subantarctic gales, which, at times spray-laden, strike the plants and sa- 
turate the shallow, porous soil. It is astonishing how, in such a station, where 
nanism would appear the response requisite, thick, stiff, tomentose leaves, in 
rosettes, rigidity of branches and a dense globular growth-form, permit the 
presence of small trees and, in the case of O. Colensoi, broad leaves, 18 cm 
long. There are two distinct forms of Olearia-scrub according as O. angusti- 
folia or O. operina dominate. 
Olearia angustifolia-scrub. 
This is common on’the most exposed parts of the coast of the Stewart 
district; there is also a small piece at the base of the Bluff Hill. Seen from 
a distance, the scrub is defined by its sage-green colour. Where most exposed, 
it consists of O. angustifolia and O. Colensoi’) with perhaps a few plants of 
O. Traillii and on certain islets Senecio Stewartiae. Generally, the shrubs 
are prostrate, but the branches eventually curve upwards, Within there is a 
tangle of rigid stems. The ee ferns are the pale en but much 
is bare. 
A transition between Senecio and Olearia scrubs occurs at Mason Bay and 
on ‚Codfish Island. The general character is much as already described, but 
ly at Be nn from. the s sea. 
