Flora of New Zealand Series

Olearia insignis var. minor Cheesem. in T.N.Z.I. 48, 1916, 211.

Type locality: between Kaikoura and Blenheim. Type: A, H. J. Matthews.

Much smaller and more slender; lvs c. 6·5-10 × 2.5-4 cm. including petiole; tomentum thinner; peduncles slender, c. 10 cm. long; capitula not > 3·5 cm. diam.

DIST.: S. Haldon Hills to Waiau River, coastal and inland.

Martin (Veg. of Marlborough 1932, 8) distinguishes 4 "races": (a) "as seen in the gorge of Woodside Creek", with large, broad, thick lvs up to 18 × 13 cm., and capitula > 7·5 cm. diam.; (b) "centred on Kaikoura", with much narrower and thinner lvs rarely > 15 × 7·5 cm., capitula rarely > 6·5 cm. diam.; (c) "as seen in Puhipuhi Valley and on Mount Kaitarau", with lvs similar to (b) but rather smaller, capitula noticeably smaller; (d) "usually referred to var. minor", with capitula rarely 4·5 cm. diam.