A common garden plant is wreaking havoc on rare natives in Lyttelton Harbour, near Christchurch.
Spur valerian, a cottage garden plant with pink, magenta or white flowers, is spreading across rocky outcrops and coastal cliffs around Banks Peninsula and the harbour.
"Don't let that pretty splash of pink fool you – spur valerian has no place in our natural environment," said Christchurch City Council park ranger Di Carter.
"Spur valerian, originally from the Mediterranean, is an aggressive species and a serious threat to the rare native plants that call Whakaraupō home."
The rocky volcanic bluffs and coastal cliffs of Whakaraupō Harbour and Banks Peninsula are home to many rare and fragile native species found nowhere else in the world.