The dominant plants on the Kermadec Islands are also found on mainland New Zealand. The Kermadec pōhutukawa (Metrosideros kermadecensis) is closely related to the pōhutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) that grows naturally around the coast of the northern North Island. However, it has smaller leaves and flowers – possibly an adaptation to the summer drought and porous volcanic soil on the Kermadecs. There are over 20 endemic species on the Kermadecs, and some plants are similar to those on Norfolk Island and tropical Pacific islands.
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Department of Conservation
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Photograph by Rebecca Stanley
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