Coastal Scrub, 87 
b. Veronica elliptica-scrub. 
At various localities in the Otago fiords, on the shores of Foveaux Strait, 
in Stewart Island and in a modified form at Otago Harbour, there is a scrub 
in which V. elliptica dominates, but such is not of uniform composition. The 
following are examples: At Anita Bay, Milford Sound, the upper shingly strand 
rises into a low terrace, above the loose stones of which spread out the 
branches af V. edliptica, V. salcifolia and V. amabilis var. blanda. These 
shrubs form a natural hedge, densest where V. elliptica dominates, but more 
open where the rather straggling V. salicifolia occurs. 
At the base of the Bluff Hill, besides V. ellipzica 1ı.8—2.4 m high, Olearia 
arborescens, Nothopanax RER Fuchsia excorticata and Aristotelia racemosa 
are more or less common, and there is a little U. amadilis and Melicytus 
lanceolatus. Beneath the &hrnbe are Astelia nervosa and the coastal ferns. 
On,the larger of the Open Bay Islands, in one place, at any rate, is a 
scrub of V. elliptica (a large-leaved form) 4 m high, over which climbs Muehlen- 
beckia australis while beneath is Astelia nervosa, Histiopteris incısa and. 
Asplenium obtusatum. The soil is deep, coarse peat. 
V. elliptica itself extends to Titahi Bay, Wellington as a distinct variety, 
but from a little to the N. of Dunedin it is wanting on the E. of the South 
Island. Though it forms small patches of scrub together with certain forest- 
plants it. is frequently a rock-plant. 
e. Scrubs of local distribution. 
I: Liane-scrubs. 
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