Laurelia is a genus of plants with only two species, both endemic to the southern hemisphere. One occurs in New Zealand and the other one in Chile, an example of Gondwanan distribution. Laurelia novae-zelandiae is a large evergreen tree, endemic to lowland forests throughout the North Island of New Zealand. It requires a temperate to warm subtropical climate, but also a frost-free environment with only very slight winter frosts not below 24.8 °F (-4 °C), and with high summer heat. Pukatea is the only New Zealand native tree developing large plank buttresses to support the tree's growth in swamp or shallow-soil areas. The vine in the photo is called supplejack, Ripogonum scandens. It is a common rainforest vine endemic to New Zealand. It climbs by coiling its hard but flexible stems around tree trunks and branches. When there are no supporting trees for the vines to climb up, the vines form a dense knotted tangle on the forest floor.

Tags:   Atherospermataceae Laurelia novae-zelandiae Monimiaceae Mount Ngongotaha Scenic Reserve Mt Ngongotaha Nature Loop Track New Zealand New Zealand native forest New Zealand native tree North Island Ripogonum scandens buttress root liana pukatea rainforest supplejack temperate rainforest tree vine

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