152 The Plant Formations, 
coriaceous, pungent, very narrow leaves about 2.4 cm long and deeply-des- 
cending roots and Gaultheria oppositifolia, a much-branched, spreading low 
shrub with thick, opposite coriaceous leaves 4—6 cm long. The Dracophyl- 
lum frequentiy forms almost pure colonies and marks the most xerophytic 
station and poorest soil. In many parts Leplospermum scoparium is dominant 
associated with Danthonza semi-annularis, Gahmia gahniaeformis, Dianella in- 
# .... termedia, Persoonia toru, Coriaria ruscifolia, Leptospermum ericotdes, Ganltheria 
F: oppositifolia, Styphelia acerosa, S. fasciculata, S. Fraseri and Dracophyllum 
subulatum. At the highest altitudes e, g. near Rangitaiki, Phormium Cookianum 
is abundant and there is Raoulia australis and Cassinia Vauwlliersü '). 
a. 4. Heath in south of the North Island. 
In the Ruahine-Cook district, heath occurs on dry slopes and ridges on 
the outskirts of lowland Nothofagus forest, and may, in many cases occupy 
a burnt forest-area. a / 
 Besides the dominant Leptospermum the following shrubs and young trees. 
‚are common: — Nothofagus Solanderi (if close to forest), Weinmannia racemosa 
juvenile, flowering), Nothopanax arboreum (if near forest), Gaultheria antıpoda, 
Sty, 
ore abundant than in primitive New Zealand. 
Di 5. South Island heaths. a: 
Cassinia leptophylia-heath occurs in the northern ‚part of the North-east 
