Forest Vines to Snow Tussocks: The Story of New Zealand Plants
Cushion Moorland
Cushion Moorland145
In this type of vegetation small cushion plants are characteristic, with Dracophyllum muscoides the most common, but also the silvery Raoulia hectorii, Anisotome imbricata (Umbelliferae) with dense silver-grey hairs (Fig. 114) and Phyllachne rubra. Small rosette herbs grow in and between the cushions including Anisotome lanuginosa (also with dense matted silver-grey hairs obscuring the leaves) and the small spaniard Aciphylla hectorii. A few small grasses, sedges and luzulas of the rush family may also be present, and small grey lichens are often an important component.
As a result of freeze/thaw action the surface of the cushion moorland is often shaped on level areas into a very regular pattern of hummocks and hollows, which tend to elongate into alternating ridges and trenches on slopes.