Flora of New Zealand Series

Ozothamnus selago Hook. f. Fl. N.Z. 2, 1855, 332.

Type locality: Seaward Kaikoura Mountains. Type: K, McDonald (Macrae's shepherd). There are 2 good pieces.

Much-branched shrub up to 3 dm. tall, with stout basal stem; branches us. crowded; branchlets 2-3 mm. diam., tomentose, in shade often elongated. Lvs of juveniles spreading, tomentose on both surfaces, c. 6-8 mm. long, membr. Lvs of adults 3-4 mm. long, appressed, ovate-triangular, subacute, keeled on back, membr. at base, coriac. in upper half, cucullate at apex; glab. on back when mature; adaxial surface with dense coat of felted white hairs. Capitula terminal, solitary, sessile, c. 6-7 mm. diam.; phyll. in 3-4 series, ovate-oblong, acute; outer tomentose on back; inner glab. on back, with scarious tips and margins. Florets 30-50; ♀ few; achenes c. 1 mm. long, linear, compressed or angled, pilose to pubescent; pappus-hairs 4-5 mm. long.

DIST.: S. Montane to subalpine rocky places throughout.