Native, stiffly erect evergreen. Taller than usual flax, useful for sheltering stock. Seed pods stand erect. Favours wet sites but adaptable. Used for shelter in exposed moist coastal sites.

Broadly spreading, evergreen. Shiny leaves with dense white or pale buff tomentum on the underside. Tiny dark red scented flowers, followed by green 3cm capsules. Great coastal shelter but not for cold frosty inland districts.

East Cape to Wairarapa and the Whanganui and Patea Rivers. Naturalised in the Nth and Sth Islands. Small evergreen tree, with twigs, flowers and capsules covered in white hairs. Thick leathery leaves white underneath suited to coastal conditions.

Narrowly conical initially then broadly spreading, deciduous. Small juvenile leaves and vigorous narrow erect habit make it ideal as a nurse tree for more tender plants. NZ wide except the driest coldest parts.