Small subshrub with woody, often multicipital, stock; branches close-set, clad in imbricate If-remains; living lvs rosulate at tips of branchlets. Lamina coriac., viscid, (2.5)–3–5 cm. × (2)–3·5–(6) mm., linear to occ. linear-spathulate; upper surface clad in thin ± deciduous pellicle; lower in appressed somewhat soft to satiny white tomentum; midrib pale, us. evident; apex obtuse to subacute; margins entire or minutely denticulate. Base suddenly expanded into sheath ± 15 × 5–6 mm., glab., transculent, longitudinal veins fine. Scape slender, viscid, up to c. 15 cm. long; bracts linear-subulate, remote, lower with lamina c. 2 cm. long. Capitula 2–3–4 cm. diam. Phyll. c. 10 mm. long, linear-lanceolate, indurated towards base and pale brown, with very prominent midrib; upper half thin, floccose on margins and ± viscid. Ray-florets c. 16 mm. long, linear, ± glandular, limb much recurved when dry, apex 3–4-toothed. Disk-florets c. 6 mm. long, very narrow-funnelform, teeth c. 1mm. long, ovate-triangular. Achenes c. 3 mm. long, cylindric, ribs densely clad in rather long ascending silky hairs. Pappus-hairs up to c. 5 mm. long, white, slender, very finely barbellate.
[From: Allan (1961) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 1.]