Flora and vegetation of Middle Island, Mercury Islands Group, eastern Coromandel, northern New Zealand

Abstract

Abstract Middle Island is unusual for a northern New Zealand island in that it lacks recent human modification and is rat-free. Observations and plant records are compared with Atkinson's botanical survey of the island 21 years earlier. Regeneration in a recent wind-throw area, milk tree (Streblus hanksii) forest age, and weed status are discussed. Ninety-six vascular plant species are recorded in an appended annotated species list for the island and three associated islets; over 70% of these records are vouchered. A bryophyte list of 11 species is included in the Appendix.