- ≡ Aster holosericeus G.Forst., Fl. Ins. Austr. 56 (1786)
Large tufted herb with lvs all radical, sheaths imbricate around stout stem. Lamina (12)–15–20–(30) × (2.5)–4–5–(6·5) cm., coriac., oblong-to elliptic-lanceolate; upper surface glab.; lower surface densely clad in closely appressed white satiny tomentum, midrib prominent, dark; apex acute to subacuminate, us. distinctly apiculate; margins flat, rather distantly denticulate, narrowed to base or very short broad petiole. Sheath ± 4 × 1·5 cm., coriac., glab., ribbed. Scape stout to rather slender, angled or flattened, ± 18–30–(60) cm. long. Bracts linear-subulate, c. 25–35 mm. long (outer up to 50 mm.). Capitula (5)–6–7 cm. diam., subtending bracts similar to upper scape-bracts. Phyll. 10–15–(25) mm. long; inner narrow, glab., glandular-pubescent; outer broader, lanceolate, tomentose without. Ray-florets ∞, c. 25 mm. long, narrow; limb gradually widening to obtuse 3-toothed apex. Disk-florets tubular to funnelform, c. 7–8 mm. long. Achenes 5–6 mm. long, obovoid-compressed to subfusiform, densely clad in short ascending hairs. Pappus-hairs c. 5–7 mm. long, white to sordid-white, becoming rufous.
[From: Allan (1961) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 1.]