Shrublands eucalypt assemblages, with a dense low understory of tussock grasses. Carex aquatilis is a species of sedge known as water sedge and leafy tussock sedge. The vegetation is predominantly tussock sedge and reedmace. These kiwis will live in tussock grasslands, scrubland, pasture, and forests. There are also areas of heathland and tussock grassland. It attracts the Douglas fir beetle, western budworm and tussock moth. Forest fires destroyed much of the original forest cover which was succeeded by tussock grassland. The northern portion of the property is predominantly vertisols covered in tussock grassland. The vegetation is low and sparse, consisting of mainly tussock and snow grasses. Above this are shrubs, and then tussock grasses. They also inhabit deserts with tussock grasses ("Stipagrostis" species) and succulent thorn scrub "Cornulaca". At higher elevations tussock grass and megaherb communities dominate the flora. Tussock grasses have been expanding in the area. The Canterbury region's tussock plains in particular were suitable for extensive sheep farming. Subantarctic flora is dominated by the coastal tussock grass, that can grow up to .