Flora of New Zealand Series

Densely branched shrub up to 3 m high, sometimes taller and forming a small tree; twigs appearing glabrous, actually with microscopic hairs, striate and often viscid; older branches with grey, flaky bark. Lvs on younger branches, usually elliptic, sometimes narrowly obovate, (3)-5-8 × 1-2.5 cm, mostly obtuse and sometimes notched at apex, sometimes subacute, finely serrate, tapering to short petiole, glossy and glabrous on upper surface, not aromatic; lower surface dull with fine gland dots and obvious midrib. Infls terminal and in axils of upper lvs, rounded, paniculate. Calyx with minute simple hairs and sometimes few glandular hairs; lobes c. 2 mm long, triangular, minutely glandular on margins. Corolla white, 12-18 mm diam.; petals spreading and scarcely tubular. Ovary disc convex; style c. 4-6 mm long. Capsule obconic, c. 3-4 mm long.

N.: Waikumete Cemetery and Mt Hobson (Auckland), Rangitoto Id; S.: Hokitika R. (Westland).

S. America 1976

Wasteland, along riverbanks, cemeteries.

FL Jan-Jun.

E. bifida has been recorded as and is frequently cultivated as E. montevidensis.