Flora of New Zealand Series

Rosette usually single; lf lamina broad, = or < petiole; hairs short, stiff to ± flexuous, usually appressed, sparse. Lateral branches few to many, ascending, sometimes branched, to 30 cm long; internodes usually = or > lvs. Cymes mostly ebracteate, many-flowered; internodes between frs usually > calyx. Calyx hairs mainly on margins and ribs. Corolla white, 2-6 mm diam.; tube cylindric; filaments very short; anthers 0.5 mm long, partly exserted.

N.; S.: from c. 38° southwards.

Endemic.

Forest and streamsides.

As circumscribed here M. forsteri may include at least 2 spp.