Adaptations of Coastal Plants in New Zealand
New Zealand is a very narrow country, surrounded by water. Coastal area makes up over 7,000 kilometers of our land. The plants that inhabit the coasts of New Zealand live very harsh lives. There are many extreme elements of nature coastal plants have to face in order to survive. Over millions of years these plants have developed highly successful defence systems and adaptations in order to overcome problems coastal living entitles. Some of these problems include extreme temperatures, strong winds, seawater, tides, flood, drought and many other troubles. Pohutukawa, Mangroves, Toe, Toe, Flax, Cabbage trees, Puriri and Karaka are good examples of New Zealand plants that have successfully developed adaptations to counteract these elements.Pohutukawas are one of New Zealand’s most well renowned throughout the world. This is because of their stunning red flowers that cover the tree at Christmas time, hence the fact they have been nick named New Zealand’s Christmas tree. As well as looking stunning Pohutukawas are one of New Zealand’s sturdiest trees. The fact that Pohutukawas can be found throughout New Zealand, in some of the callous and harshest area of the coast automatically sign posts the Po . . .
The bushy flowers on the Toe Toe are hard to miss on the New Zealand. Cabbage Tree are very adaptable and can be found throughout New Zealand, along the coasts, in swamps, on the edge of native forests and on the plains. These teeth would deter any of New Zealand’s pests stopping them from eating the plant. Karaka have a strong ability to withstand dry conditions, whilst still being able to produce large berries. This is so that when the enter the next flax flower they pollinate that plant, spreading the pollen from one plant to another, this helps to spread genetic difference, helping protect the plant against diseases. 5 centimeters long and 3-5 centimeters wide. It is found mostly in the North extending down towards the Taranaki Coast and Poverty Bay. The flowers, that the Pohutukawa is so well known for, is another adaptation they have, they are so striking and so plentiful for a reason. Pohutukawas developed dark green, thick, waxy leaves with hairs on their leaves. Its leaves are large, and arranged in groups of about six, in hand like formation. The bright colour and rich nectar attracts many birds and bees this helps to pollinate and spread the seeds. Mangroves are one of New Zealand’s most unique plants, the adaptation they have developed allow them to live like no other plant. The leaves are dark green, thick and waxy this stops the trees from losing too much water though the leaves. This means when they drop and the tide recedes, the young plant can take hold and begin to spread its roots before the tide returns. These plants still survive today because of their successful adaptations.
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