Mount Aspiring National Park

 

Localization

West of the Southern Island of the New Zealand

Access

Easy

Characteristic

3 555 km²; A complex of impressively glaciated mountain scenery centred on Mount Aspiring/Tititea (3,036 m), New Zealand's highest peak outside of the main divide. Many phenomenons connected with glacier activities - mountain peaks, deep and very long valleys, remote wilderness. Typical ecosystems: mountainous and alpine ecosystems, temperate zone forests, freshwater ecosystems (rivers and glacial lakes).

Fauna + Flora

Mammals:

Marsupials - Brushtail Possums (Phalangeridae): Common Brush-tailed Possum - introduced species

Bats - True Bats (Vespertilionidae): Long-tailed Wattled Bat

- Mystacinidae: New Zealand Lesser Short-tailed Bat

Carnivores - Weasels, Otters, Badgers (Mustelidae): Ermine - introduced species

Even-toed Ungulates  - Deers (Cervidae): Red Deer - introduced for hunting; White-tailed Deer - introduced for hunting

- Cows, Buffaloes (Bovidae):  Chamois - introduced for hunting

Birds:

Struthioniformes - Kiwis (Apteryidae):  Brown Kiwi

Ciconiiformes - Herons, Egrets and Bitterns (Ardeidae): Australasian Bittern; Great White Egret

- Ibises and Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae): Royal Spoonbill

Anseriformes - Gees, Swans and Ducks (Anatidae): Pacific Black Duck; Blue Duck; Paradise Shelduck

Birds of Prey - Hawks, Eagles, Buzzards, Kites and Old World Vultures (Accipitridae): Swamp Harrier

- Falcons and Caracaras (Falconidae): New Zealand Falcon

Gruiformes - Rails, Crakes, Coots and Gallinules (Rallidae): Takahe; Weka

Charadriiformes - Avocets (Recurvirostridae): Black-winged Stilt

- Plovers (Charadriidae): Red-breasted Plover; Wrybill

- Oystercatchers (Haematopodidae):  Pied Oystercatcher

- Gulls (Laridae):  Black-billed Gull; Kelp Gull; Red-billed Gull

- Terns (Sternidae): Arctic Tern; Caspian Tern; White-fronted Tern

Columbiformes - Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae):  New Zealand Pigeon

Psittaciformes - Parrots (Psittacidae): Kaka; Kea; Yellow-fronted Parakeet

Strigiformes - Owls (Strigidae):  Southern Boobook

Cuculiformes - Cuckoos, Anis, Coucals and Roadrunners (Cuculidae): Shining Bronze-Cuckoo; Long-tailed Koel

Coraciiformes - Kingfishers (Alcedinidae): Sacred Kingfisher

Perching Birds - New Zeanad Wrens (Acanthisittidae):  Rifleman; Rock Wren

- Wagtails and Pipits (Motacillidae):  Richard´s Pipit

- Honeyeaters (Meliphagidae):  New Zealand Bellbird; Tui

- White-eyes (Zosteropidae):  Silver-eye

- Australian Warblers (Acanthizidae): Grey Gerygone

- Whistlers (Pachycephalidae): New Zealand Creeper; Yellowhead

- Fantails (Rhipiduridae):  Grey Fantail

- Australian Robins (Petroicidae):  New Zealand Robin; New Zealand Tit

- Old World Warblers (Sylviidae): New Zealand Fernbird

Fish:

Salmons - Salmonids (Salmonidae): Brown Trout (Salmo trutta fario) - introduced species; Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) - introduced species

Insects:

Dragonflies - Petaluridae: Uropetala chiltoni

Dictyoptera - Blattidae: Celatoblatta quinquemaculata

Orthoptera - Acrididae: Alpinacris tumidicauda; Phaulacridium marginale; Sigaus australis

- Stenopelmatidae: Deinacrida connectens; Hemiandrus focalis 

- Rhaphidophoridae: Pharmacus sp.

Bugs - Cicadas (Tibicinidae): Kikihia angusta; Maoricicada cambelli

- Shield Bugs (Pentatomidae): Cermatulus nasalis

Earwigs - Forficulidae: Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia)

Beetles - Ground and Tiger Beetles (Carabidae): Cicindela parryi; Megadromus sandageri

- Predaceous Diving Beetles (Dytiscidae): Liodessus plicatus

- Click Beetles (Elateridae): Prisahypnus frontalis

- Scarabaeidae: Scythrodes squalidus

- Longhorn Beetles (Cerambycidae): Hybolasius sp.

- Ladybird Beetles (Coccinellidae): Illies galbula

- Soft-winged Flower Beetles (Melyridae): Dasytes sp.

- Pill or Moss Beetles (Byrrhidae): Epichorius sp.

- Leaf Beetles (Chrysomelidae): Adoxia sp.

- Darkling Beetles (Tenebrionidae): Artystona wakefieldi

- Weevils (Curculionidae): Anagotus latirostris; Gromilus sp.; Hoplocneme sp.; Lyperobius spedenii; Black Vine Weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus); Zenographus metallescens

Butterflies and Moths - Lycaenidae: Zizina oxleyi

- Satyrs (Satyridae): Argyrophenga antipodum; Erebiola butleri

- Hepialidae: Wiseana copularis

- Owlet Moths (Noctuidae): Aletia virescens; Graphania agorastis, G. mollis, G. mutans, G. plena, G. rubescens and G. ustistriga; Meterana dotata; Physetica caerulea; Dark Swort-Grass (Agrotis ypsilon); Tmetolophota atristriga and T. semivittata

- Arctiidae: Nyctemera annulata

- Geometridae: Aponotoreas insignis and A. orphnaea; Asaphodes adonis, A. aegrota, A. cataphracta and A. clarata; Austrocidaria gobiata; Dasyuris anceps and D. callicrena; Declana leptomera and D. floccose; Epiphyrne undosata and E. charidema; Gellonia pannularia; Helastia corcularia and H. cinerearia; Homodotis megaspilata; Notoreas blax, N. mechanitis and N. ortholeuca; Paradetis porphyritis; Paranotoreas zopyra; Pasiphila melochora; Pseudocoremia leucelaea, P. productata and P. rudisata

- Tortricidae: Gelophaula trisulca; Harmologa amplexana; Planotortrix excessana

- Oecophoridae: Izatha peroneanella and I. picarella; Tingena apertella; Trachypepla anastrella

- Pyralidae: Eudonia feredayi, E. leptalea and E. submarginalis; Scoparia acharis, S. asaleuta, S. cyameuta and S. minusculalis

- Crambidae: Glaucocharis interrupta; Omiodes aethonellus, O. callirhous, O. catacaustus, O. clarkei, O. corruptus, O. crenaeus, O. dicrenellus, O. flexuosellus, O. haplotomus, O. philpotti, O. ramosellus and O. vitellus; Tawhitia glaucophanes

- Nepticulidae: Stigmella ilsea

Bees, ants and Wasps - Ants (Formicidae): Monomorium antarcticum

- Colletidae: Leioproctus sp.

- Bees (Apidae): Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) - introduced species

True Flies, Mosquitoes and Gnats - Black Flies (Simuliidae): Austrosimulium sp.

- Flower Flies (Syrphidae): Melangyna novaezelandia

Arachnids:

Spiders - Orbweavers (Araneidae): Colaranea verutum; Eriophora pustulosa

- Cobweb (Theridiidae): Achaearanea sp.

- Zoropsidae: Uliodon sp.

- Stiphidiidae: Cambridgea sp.

Daddy Long-legs - Megalopsalididae: Pantopsalis sp.

Millipedes:

Julida - Julidae: Cylindroiulus britannicus - introduced species

Malacostraca:

Pillbugs - Trichoniscidae: Trichoniscus sp.

Onychophora:

Euonychophora - Peripatopsidae: Ooperipatellus viridimaculatus

Moluscs :

Several species of Powelliphanta genus - big land carnivorous snails

 

Plants:

Lycophytes:

Lycopodiales - Lycopodiaceae: Clubmoss (Lycopodium fastigiatum)

- Huperziaceae: Clubmosses (Huperzia australiana and H. varia)

Ferns:

Polypodiales - Polypodiaceae: Ctenopteris heterophylla; Microsorium pustulatum; Dwarf Polypody (Grammitis patagonica and G. poepiggiana)

- Dryopteridaceae:  Hllyfens (Polystichum cytostegia, P. neozelandicum and P. vestitum)

- Brake Ferns (Pteridaceae): Cliffbrake (Pellaea rotundifolia); Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum cunninghamii)

- Woodsiaceae: Bladderfern (Cystopteris tasmanica)

- Spleenworts (Asplenidaceae): Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes) and Spleenworts (Asplenium flabellifolium, A. flaccidum and A. richardii)

- Dennstaedtiaceae: Batwing Fern (Histiopteris incisa); Beadfern (Hypolepis millefolium); Brackenfern (Pteridium esculentum)

- Midsorus Ferns (Blechnaceae): Midsorus Fern (Blechnum fluviatile, B. chambersii, B. montanum, B. penna-marina, B. procerum and B. vulcanicum)

Conifers:

Pinales - Pines (Pinaceae): Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

- Podocarpaceae: Kahika (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides); Matai (Prumnopitys taxifolia) and Miro (Prumnopitys ferruginea); Plum Pine (Podocarpus hallii); New Zealand Red Pine (Dacrydium cupressinum); Mountain Toatoa (Phyllocladus alpinus); Snow Totara (Podocarpus nivalis) and Totara (Podocarpus totara)

Cupressales - Cupressaceae:  Mountain Cedar (Libocedrus bidwillii); Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) - introduced species

Dicotyledons:

Canellales - Winteraceae: Pseudowintera colorata

Ranunculales - Ranunculaceae: Anemone (Anemone tenuicaulis); Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens) - introduced species and Buttercups (Ranunculus amphitrichus, R. buchananii, R. foliosus, R. gracilipes, R. lyallii, R. maculatus, R. pachyrrhizus, R. reflexus, R. royi, R. sericophyllus and R. trichophyllus - introduced species); Leather Flowers (Clematis foetida, C. marata and C. paniculata); Psychrophila obtusa

- Barberries (Berberidaceae):  Barberry (Berberis wilsoniae) - introduced species

Brassicales - Crucifers (Brassicaceae): Hairy Bitter-Cress (Cardamine hirsuta) - introduced species; Hairypod Hedgemustard (Sisymbrium officinale) - introduced species; Pachycladon cheesemanii and P. novae-zelandiae; Common Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) - introduced species

Caryophyllales - Caryophyllaceae: Striped Corn Catchfly (Silene conica) - introduced species; Common Chickweed (Stellaria media) - introduced species; Colobanthus buchananii, C. canaliculatus and C. strictus; Common Mouse-ear Chickweed (Cerastium fontanum) - introduced speceis; German Knotgrass (Scleranthus brockiei); Birdeye Pearlwort (Sagina procumbens) - introduced species; Starworts (Stellaria gracilenta and S. parviflora)

- Portulacaeae: Annual Water Minerslettuce (Montia fontana) - introduced species; Neopaxia sessiliflora

- Sundews (Droseraceae): Sundew (Drosera arcturi)

- Polygonaceae: Clustered Dock (Rumex conglomerata) - introduced species, Curley Dock (Rumex crispus) - introduced species and Dock (Rumex flexuosus); Knotweed (Polygonum aviculare) - introduced species; Lady´s-thumb (Polygonum persicaria) - introduced species; Common Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella) - introduced species; Sprawling Wirevine (Muehlenbeckia axillaris) and Maidenhair Vines (Muehlenbeckia australis and M. complexa)

- Hectorellaceae: Hectorella caespitosa

Gunnerales - Gunneraceae: Gunnera monoica

Malvales - Malvaceae: Ribbonwoods (Plagianthus divaricatus and P. regius)

- Thymelaeaceae: Kelleria croizatii and K. dieffenbachii; Pimelea oreophila and P. prostrata

Rosales - Rosaceae: Acaena agnapila - introduced species, A. anserinifolia, A. caesiiglauca, A. inermis, A. juvenca and A. saccaticupula; European Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia) - introduced species; Avens (Geum parviflorum); Blackberries (Rubus cissoides and R. schmidelioides); Simon´s Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster simonsii) - introduced species and Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster microphyllus) - introduced species; Sweetbriar Rose (Rosa rubiginosa) - introduced species

- Rhamnaceae: Discaria toumatou

- Urticaceae: Urtica incisa

- Ulmaceae: Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra) - introduced species

Oxalidales - Oxalidaceae: Woodsorrel (Oxalis magellanica)

- Elaeocarpaceae: Aristotelia fruticosa and A. serrata

Saxifragales - Crassulaceae: Pygmyweeds (Crassula colligata and C. sinclairii)

- Grossulariaceae: Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) - introduced species; European Gosseberry (Ribes uva-crispa)

- Seaberries (Haloragidaceae): Raspwort (Gonocarpus micranthus); Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum propinquum)

Fabales - Fabaceae: Common Broom (Cytisus scoparius) - introduced species; Carmichaelia petriei; Hop Clover (Trifolium dubium) - introduced species, Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) - introduced species and White Clover (Trifolium repens) - introduced species; Kowhai (Sophora microphylla); Big Trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus) - introduced species

Fagales - Fagaceae: European Chestnut (Castanea sativa); Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) - introduced species

- Nothofagaceae: Hard Beech (Nothofagus truncata), Mountain Beech (Nothofagus solandri), Red Beech (Nothofagus fusca) and Silver Beech (Nothofagus menziesii)

Malpighiales - Willows (Salicaceae):  Black Cottonwood (Populus nigra) - introduced species; basket Willow (Salix viminalis) - introduced species and Crack Willow (Salix fragilis) - inroduced species

- Violaceae: Melicytus alpinus; Violets (Viola cunninghamii, V. filicaulis and V. lyallii)

- Linaceae: Fairy Flax (Linum catharticum) - introduced species

- Elatinaceae: Waterwort (Elatine gratioloides)

- Hypericaceae: Common St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum) - introduced species and Grassy St. Johnswort (Hypericum gramineum)

Geraniales - Geraniaceae: Solander´s Geranium (Geranium solanderi) and Geraniums (Geranium microphyllum and G. sessiliflorum)

Myrtales - Myrtaceae:  Burgan (Kunzea ericoides); Neomyrtus pedunculata; Broom Teatree (Leptospermum scoparium)

- Onagraceae: Fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata); Willowherbs (Epilobium brunnescens, E. glabellum, E. komarovianum, E. melanocaulon, E. microphyllum, E. nerteroides, E. porphyrium, E. pubens, E. purpuratum, E. rotundifolium and E. tasmanicum

Apiales - Apiaceae: Anisotome aromatica, A. capillifolia, A. imbricata a A. pilifera; Burr Chervil (Anthriscus caucalis) - introduced species; Gingidia decipiens and G. montana; Oreomyrrhis ramosa; Schizeilema exiguum, S. haasti and S. trifoliatum; Spaniards (Aciphylla aurea, A. crenulata, A. divisa, A. hectorii, A. horrida, A. kirkii, A. montana and A. scott-thomsonii)

- Araliaceae: Hydrocotyles (Hydrocotyle novae-zeelandiae and H. sulcata); Musky Marshpennywort (Hydrocotyle moschata); Pseudopanax colensoi, P. crassifolium and P. simplex; Schefflera digitata

- Griseliniaceae: Griselinia littoralis

- Cheesewoods (Pittosporaceae):  Cheesewood (Pittosporum eugenioides) and Tawhiwhi (Pittosporum tenuifolium)

Ericales - Ericaceae:  Snowberries (Gaultheria antipoda, G. crassa, G. depressa and G. nubicola)

- Epacridaceae: Dracophyllum kirkii, D. longifolium, D. muscoides, D. rosmarinifolium a D. uniflorum; Leucopogon fraseri

Escalloniales - Escalloniaceae: Carpodetus serratus

Gentianales - Gentianaceae: Dwarf Gentians (Gentianella bellidifolia and G. grisebachii); Gentians (Gentiana spp.); Bitter Herb (Centaurium erythraea) - introduced species

- Rubiaceae: Catchweed Bedstraw (Galium aparine) - introduced species, Lamarck´s Bedstraw (Galium divaricatum) - introduced species and Bedstraw (Galium perpusillum); Blue Field-Madder (Sherardia arvensis) - introduced species; Mirrorplants (Coprosma cheesemanii, C. ciliata, C. elatrioides, C. foetidissima, C. fowerakeri, C. lucida, C. niphophila, C. parviflora, C. perpusilla, C. propinqua, C. rhamnoides, C. rugosa and C. serrulata); Nertera balfouriana and N. setulosa

- Apocynaceae: Parsonsia heterophylla; Pentachondra pumila

Boraginales - Boraginaceae: Blueweed (Echium vulgare) - introduced species; Bay Forget-me-not (Myosotis laxa) - introduced species, Field Forget-me-not (Myosotis arvensis) - introduced species and Forget-me-nots ( Myosotis elderi, M. forsteri, M. macrantha, M. pulvinaris and M. pygmaea)

Lamiales - Mints (Lamiaceae): Common Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) - introduced species

- Plantains (Plantaginaceae): Plantains (Plantago lanigera, P. novae-zelandiae and P. triandra)

- Callitrichaceae: Pond Water-Starwort (Callitriche stagnalis) - introduced species

- Scrophulariaceae: Yellow Bartsia (Parentucellia viscosa) - introduced species; Chionohebe thomsonii; Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) - introduced species; Eyebrights (Euphrasia petriei and E. zelandica); Hebe hectorii, H. odora, H. pauciramosa, H. rakaiensis, H. salicifolia and H. subalpina; Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) - introduced species and Wand Mullein (Verbascum virgatum) - introduced species; Muskflower (Mimulus moschatus) - introduced species; Ourisia caespitosa, O. glandulosa and O. sessilifolia; Parahebe brevistylis, P. decora, P. lyallii and P. planopetiolata

- Butterfly Bushes (Buddlejaceae):  Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)

Dipsacales - Sambucaceae: European Black Elder (Sambucus nigra)

Cucurbitales - Coriariaceae: Coriaria plumosa and C. sarmentosa

Asterales - Asteraceae: Abrotanella caespitosa and A. inconspicua; Anaphalioides bellidioides; Brachyglottis bellidioides, B. cassinioides, B. rotundifolia and B. southlandica; Brachyscome humilis; Common Burdock (Arctium minus) - introduced species; Daisy Bushes (Olearia arborescens, O. avicenniifolia, O. bullata, O. hectori, O. ilicifolia, O. moschata and O. nummularifolia); Common Cat´s-ear (Hypochoeris radicata) - introduced species; Craspedia otago and C. robusta; Jersey Cudweed (Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum); Island Daisies (Lagenifera barkeri and L. strangulata); Mountain Daisies (Celmisia angustifolia, C. glanulosa, C. gracilenta, C. haastii, C. hectorii, C. lyallii, C. semicordata, C. sessiliflorum and C. verbascifolia); Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) - introduced species and Dandelion (Taraxacum magellanicum); Dolichoglottis lyallii and D. scorzoneroides; Euchiton lateralis, E. ruahinacus and E. traversii; Haastia sinclairii; Smooth Hawk´s-beard (Crepis capillaris) - introduced species; Mouse-ear-hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella) - introduced species and Hawkweed (Hieracium lepidulum) - introduced species; Kingdevil (Hieracium praealtum) - introduced species; Leptinella pectinata and L. squalida; Wall Lettuce (Mycelis muralis) - introduced species; Leucogenes grandiceps; Ozothamnus vauvilliersii; Ragworts (Senecio jacobea - introduced species, S. quadridentatus and S. wairauensis); Raoulia glabra, R. grandiflora, R. hectorii, R. hookeri, R. tenericaulis and R. youngii; Silverpuffs (Microseris scapigera); Annual Sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus) - introduced species; Strawflower (Helichrysum filicaule); Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) - introduced species and Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) - introduced species; Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - introduced species

- Campanulaceae:  Lobelia (Lobelia linnaeoides); Pratia angulata and P. macrodon; Wahlenbergia albomarginata

- Agrophyllaceae: Corokia cotoneaster

- Stylidiaceae: Forstera sedifolia; Phyllachne rubra

Monocotyledons:

Alismatales - Pondweeds (Potamogetonaceae):  Pondweed (Potamogeton cheesemanii)

Poales - Grasses (Poaceae):  Common Bent (Agrostis capillaris) - introduced species and Bentgrass (Agrostis muelleriana); Blue-Grasses (Poa breviglumis, P. colensoi, P. imbecilla and P. novae-zelandiae); Soft Brome (Bromus hordeaceus) - introduced species; Wood False Brome-Grass (Brachypodium sylvaticum) - introduced species; Chionochloa conspicua, C. crassiuscula, C. macra, C. oreophila, C. pallens and C. rigida; Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) - introduced species; Crested Dog´s-Tail (Cynosurus cristatus) - introduced species; Red Fescue (Festuca rubra) and Fescue (Festuca matthewsii); Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lanatus) - introduced species; Marsh Fox-Tail (Alopecurus geniculatus) - introduced species; Silver Hairgass (Aira caryophyllea) - introduced species; Junegrasses (Koeleria cheesemanii and K. novozelandica); Lachnagrostis striata and L. uda; Tall Oat-Grass (Arrhenatherum elatius) - introduced species; Oat-Grass (Trisetum lepidum); Annual Meadow-Grass (Poa annua) - introduced species, Rough Meadow-Grass (Poa trivialis) - introduced species and Meadow-Grass (Poa pratense) - introduced species; Clovenfoot Plumegrass (Dichelachne crinita); Rye-Grass (Lolium perenne) - introduced species; Floating Sweet-Grass (Glyceria fluitans) - introduced species; Timothy (Phleum pratense) - introduced species; Silver Tussock (Poa cita); Sweet Vernal-Grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum) - introduced species; Wallaby-Grass (Rytidosperma australe, R. buchananii, R. gracile, R. setifolium and R. unarede); Wildrye (Elymus solandri)

- Rushes (Juncaceae): Rostkovia magellanica; Common Rush (Juncus effusus) - introduced species, Jointed Rush (Juncus articulatus) - introduced species, Slender Rush (Juncus tenuis) - introduced species, Toad Rush (Juncus bufonius) - introduced species and Rushes (Juncus antarcticus and J. novae-zelandiae); Woodrushes (Luzula banksiana, L. picta, L. pumila and L. rufa)

- Cyperaceae: Birdcatching Sedges (Uncinia divaricata, U. drucei, U. rubra and U. silvestris); Bogrush (Schoenus pauciflorus); Bulrushes (Isolepis aucklandicus and I. caligenis); Carpha alpina; Oreobolus impar and O. pectinatus; Hare´s Foot Sedge (Carex ovalis) - introduced species, Star Headed Sedge (Carex echinata) and Sedges (Carex coriacea, C. guadichaudiana, C. petriei, C. sinclairii and C. wakatipu); Acute Spikerush (Eleocharis acuta)

Asparagales - orchids (Orchidaceae): Aporostylis bifolia; Chiloglottis cornuta; Corybas trilobus; Microtis oligantha and M. uniflora; Prasophyllum colensoi; Pterostylis areolata; Thelymitra sp.

- Antheriaceae: Rock Lily (Arthropodium candidum)

- Asteliaceae: Cabbage Tree (Cordyline australis); Pineapplegrasses (Astelia nervosa, A. nivicola and A. petriei)

- Phormiaceae: Phormium cookianum

 

Possible activities

Very good conditions for walking and more difficult trekking - very popular

Rafting, mountaineering, fishing

Note

Landscape of extraordinary beauty.

One of the most unusual areas in the park is the Red Hills 'mineral belt' in the southwest. Here the concentration of magnesium in the soil is so high that only a few hardy plants survive.

Pictures - source Wikipedia