Vegetation

Sand tussock

Vegetation patterns in the Aorangi mountains have been modified by fire, wild animals and grazing stock, while land clearance and logging have impacted on the foothills, coastline and river headwaters. Beech forest dominates the north of the range with hinau and matai characterising the hardwood forests and lower altitudes. Mahoe dominates on the moister soils in gully heads and on stream banks. Fuchsia, makomako, heketara, kohuhu, titoki, rewarewa, rimu, and miro are among other species present.

The shrublands of the river terraces and coastal foothills are generally dominated by tauninu while elsewhere manuka and kanuka are the prevalent species at low altitude. Small areas of sub-alpine shrubland occur on the higher peaks.

There are many diverse rare plants along the Cape Palliser coastline, ranging from the sand tussock Austrofestuca littoralis to Myosotis pygmaea, a tiny gravel bank spring annual.
 
The indigenous vegetation in the Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve provides a natural corridor from the Aorangi Forest Park to the coast.