Otago is one of the most botanically diverse regions in Aotearoa New Zealand, with a high proportion of national flora found here.

Indigenous vascular plants

A vascular plant is how we define any plant that has a root and vein system that allows nutrients to travel from the ground to the rest of the plant. Being indigenous means that it has always been in Aotearoa New Zealand. Indigenous plants may also be found in other parts of the world, but the main idea that that they have always been in NZ. The vascular system allows these plants to grow larger as they have easier access to water and nutrients. 

Indigenous  non-vascular plants

These are plants without roots, stems, leaves or a vein system, generally absorbing nutrients directly through surfaces. Types of nonvascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand include mosses, algae and lichens, as well as some seaweeds. .

1242 indigenous vascular plant species listed in the New Zealand Threat Classification System have been found to occur naturally in Otago. [out of how many?]

Many of these plants are at risk of becoming extinct, with some already extinct in Otago.

Infographic created by our designer Anna  - need a little less text on it, so we can use it to only highlight key information. 

In Otago

• 227 species were identified as Regionally Threatened (Regionally Critical = 93; Regionally Endangered = 68; Regionally Vulnerable = 66)
• 275 are Regionally At Risk (Regionally Declining = 50; Regionally Naturally Uncommon = 225)
• 614 were Regionally Not Threatened, one as Regionally Non-resident Native (Regional Coloniser = 1)
• 115 are Regionally Data Deficient.

A total of 10 species are identified as having become Regionally Extirpated (i.e., have become extinct in the region). A further 14 species were identified that had not been assessed nationally. 

Otago was identified with 36 vascular plant species that are regional endemics, meaning they are only found in the region. Of these endemic taxa, 28 have heightened risks of extinction (Nationally Threatened or At Risk categories). A total of 321 species were identified as having national strongholds in Otago (where 20% of the population are found in a region). This includes 187 taxa with a heightened risk of extinction nationally.  

ORC completed the first regional conservation of indigenous vascular plants in 2024, in conjunction with a panel of experts including John Barkla, Brian Rance, Dr Geoff Rogers, Richard Ewans, and Dr Mike Thorsen. 

Plants threat assessment link

Plants searchable species spreadsheet link

Plants searchable threatened species link

Plants searchable regionally extinct species link

Plants searchable conservation translocations link

Plants searchable type locality link