Rather small subshrub with sparingly branched woody stems. Lvs ∞, closely imbricate along ascending branchlets. Lamina 10–15–(20) × 2–3·5 mm., spreading from sheathing base, finally reflexed, linear-lanceolate, coriac., midrib impressed above, prominent below; upper surface glab., rather pale green; lower surface with rather sparse minute deciduous scurfy scales; apex thickened, obtuse to subacute; base hardly widened to membr. sheath bearing scurfy scales; margins thick, revolute almost to midrib. Scape ± 4–5–(6) cm. long, slender, sparsely clad in scurfy scales; bracts ∞, lamina linear-oblong, ± 4 mm. long, sheath ± 3 mm. long, appressed. Capitula 2–2.5 cm. diam.; phyll. narrow-oblong, obtuse to subacute, ascending to patent, sts with tuft of hairs at tip, widened at base, up to c. 7 mm. long. Ray-florets ∞, elliptic-oblong, 3–5-toothed, up to 15 mm. long, bearing a few appressed hairs. Disk-florets tubular-funnelform, up to ± 6 mm. long. Achenes c. 2 mm. long, narrow-cylindric, ribs with sparse stiff hairs. Pappus-hairs white, up to 5·5 mm. long, very finely barbellate.
[From: Allan (1961) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 1.]