Flora of New Zealand Series

Type: BD 10823, "Upper gorge of Lynn Stream near waterfall, rock crevice, H. H. A., 3.1.19. Pubescent form, decumbent".

Shrub c. 30 cm. tall with spreading branches. Branchlets stout, covered with dense rather long pubescence, length of internodes 2-3 × diam. Lvs patent or reflexed, c. 18 × 8 mm., oblong, thick and glaucous, those near infl. sts broader and ovate; lf-bud without sinus, lf subcordate at base; lamina obtuse, entire, covered on both sides with dense hairy pubescence that is shorter or absent on reddish margins, midrib obscure. Infls lateral, simple, compact spikes 15-20 mm. long projecting well beyond lvs on villous peduncles c. 2.5 cm. long. Fls sessile, bracts and calyx-lobes c. 3 × 2 mm., ovate, subacute, pubescent all over. Corolla white, tube narrow, slightly > calyx, = narrow spreading lobes. Ovary pubescent, capsule (seen only in garden plant) rounded, ± didymous, pubescent above, scarcely = calyx.

DIST.: S. Type and only known locality: Mount Peel, Canterbury. Rocky outcrops in tussock-grassland.

FL. 1.

Allan (T.N.Z.I. 57, 1926, 89) records "noted in two localities, and there common". Specimens have been seen from altitudes of 1200 m. (W 5353) and 450 m. (CM). Apparently not recently collected but maintained in gardens. Nearest to H. amplexicaulis but strikingly different in pubescence.