Sub-alpine vegetation, Mangaturuturu. Photo NC.

This area of shrub located on a ridge above Mangaturuturu Valley, near Lake Surprise, is typical of the sub-alpine associations of Tongariro National Park. The reddish hue is mostly due to mountain inaka (Dracophyllum recurvum). Among the other plants visible are bristle tussock (Rytidosperma setifolium), red tussock (Chionochloa rubra), Hebe odora (or the extremely similar Pimelea buxifolia), and mountain daisy (Celmisia incana).