in the north. Shrubland contains the white-flowered variation of Veronica elliptica which occurs on the coast and on the tops, mostly bordering Olearia forest and which quickly colonise areas of forest windthrow and dieback. Tussock grassland is dominated by Poa tennantiana (wide leaved) and Poa astonii.

A major feature of sub-antarctic plant communities is the megaherbs. This feature is limited to only two sites on the main island of the Snares. They contain the impressive Stilbocarpa robusta and Anisotome acutifolia. The latter species is the only vascular plant species currently recognised as endemic to the Snares Islands. One recently described entity of Cook’s scurvy grass, Lepidium limenophylax, is also associated with these herbfields but mainly grows along the western and northern cliff tops of North East Island. Due tothe limited area that they occupy, these last two species are listed as threatened. However, the populations on North East Island appear to be stable and healthy.

There are two low-lying herbaceous plants on the Snares with a New Zealand distribution limited to the sub-antarctic islands: Callitriche antarctica (which thrives in coastal and inland seepage areas) and Stellaria decipiens (glabrous native chickweed). Other species include a cushion plant (Colobanthus muscoides), a succulent herb (Crassula moschata), a small rush (Isolepis cernua) and a sedge (Carex trifida).

Stellaria decipiens, one of two Snares plants, with a New Zealand distribution restricted to the sub-antarctic islands Image: Antony Kusabs, Te Papa

The islands have always been free of introduced mammals but two introduced species of plant have made it to the island. These are Stellaria