(c.) Celmisia Viscosa Association.

On the wind-swept slopes of Middle Peel, especially on its flattened summit, where snow lies long and drainage is poor, there occurs an open association in which the great mats of Celmisia viscosa predominate. Dracophyllum rosmarinifolium is plentiful, and in places subdominant. On the bare ground between these are the small tufts and cushions of Agrostis subulata, Poa Colensoi, Luzula pumila, Luzula Cheesemanii, Anisotome aromatica var., Aciphylla Monroi var., Drapetes Dieffenbachii, Phyllachne Colensoi, Gentiana corymbifera (stunted), ‘Pygmea pulvinaris, Helichrysum grandiflorum, Celmisia discolor, C. Haastii, C. laricifolia. The cushions and mats are often undermined and dissected by the wind.

The numerous shallow hollows have usually a mossy centre with Carex Wakatipu, Luzula campestris vars., and often abundance of Celmisia Haastii surrounding it. Other hollows are quite bare. Where drainage is freer Celmisia Haastii is especially abundant, C. discolor becomes luxuriant, and Phyllachne Colensoi forms large, vivid green cushions. Here too may be occasional Poa caespitosa, Danthonia flavescens and Celmisia incana var.