- ≡ Raoulia mackayi Buchanan, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 14: 354, t. 34, f. 2 (1881 [1882]) – as Raoulia m'kayi
- ≡ Gnaphalium traversii var. mackayi (Buchanan) Kirk, Stud. Fl. New Zealand 299 (1899)
- ≡ Gnaphalium mackayi (Buchanan) Cockayne, Veg. N.Z. 439 (1928)
- ≡ Euchiton mackayi (Buchanan) Anderb., Opera Bot. 104: 167 (1991)
Perennial with much-branched stems terminating in leafy rosettes and usually forming mats, 1–7 cm tall. Lvs mostly in basal rosettes; basal lvs cuneate to short petiole, densely white-tomentose on both surfaces including mid-vein but usually excluding petiole on upper, plane, elliptic to broad-elliptic or spathulate, usually obtuse, sometimes acute, mucronate, (3)–6–12–(20) × (2)–3–6 mm; cauline lvs 1-few, apetiolate, reduced upwards and becoming ovate-triangular to linear, amplexicaul and finally scalelike. Capitula c. 2–4 mm diam., usually solitary, very rarely 2 together; subtending lvs < capitula; scape terminal, simple, erect, amongst lvs at flowering, usually elongating somewhat at fruiting. Involucral bracts elliptic-oblong, obtuse to subacute, 4.5–6 mm long; stereome green or tinged reddish purple at apex; lamina pale brown, with darker band at base; gap and margins clear or tinged reddish purple. Achenes glabrous, c. 1.2 mm long.
[From: Webb et al. (1985) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4 as Gnaphalium mackayi (Buchanan) Cockayne]