Robust subshrub, low-growing, forming patches up to c. 2 m. diam.; stems very stout, branched, up to c. 15 mm. diam.; branches creeping or ascending, clad in long-persistent reflexed Ivs; living Ivs in approximate rosulate tufts at ends of branchlets. Lamina coriac., viscid, narrow-oblong to sublanceolate or elliptic, ± 10–15 × 1·5–2.5 cm.; upper surface without tomentum, lower densely clad in appressed white satiny tomentum, midrib dark, stout, prominent; apex obtuse to subacute; margins sinuate, slightly thickened, entire to remotely denticulate, narrowed to petiole ± 2.5–3 × 1·5–2.5 mm. Sheath c. 3 × 1 cm., glab., coriac.; nerves parallel, us. prominent. Scape (5)–10–(20) cm., slender, flexuous, very sparingly hairy; lower bracts lflike, up to c. 3 cm. long, upper linear. Capitula (25)–30–40–(50) mm. diam.; phyll. linear, up to 12 mm. long, subfloccose in apical half, midrib distinct. Ray-florets linear, c. 12–15 mm. long; disk-florets ∞, tubular, c. 6–8 mm. long, teeth broad-triangular. Achenes narrow-cylindric, ± compressed, 3–4 mm. long; ribs prominent, rather densely clad in short ascending hairs. Pappus-hairs white, becoming ± rufous, up to 6–7 mm. long, barbellate.
[From: Allan (1961) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 1.]