Low spreading to erect shrub up to 2 m. or more tall; branches us. several, robust; bark greyish; branchlets stout. Lvs crowded near tips of branchlets, patent to ± reflexed, rigid, very coriac.; sheath glab., ± 25 × 20 mm., gradually tapering into lamina 10–15–(20) × 1·5–2 cm.; margins serrulate to crenulate; apex gradually tapering to fine point. Panicle ± 7·5–12 cm. long, stout, drooping, on short stout stalk, arising below lvs; sts in whorls of 3, sts almost reduced to racemes; rhachis pubescent. Bracts short, broad, ovate, suddenly contracted to sharp point. Fls c. 8–9 mm. long on short curved pubescent pedicels. Sepals 1·5–2 mm. long, broad-ovate, subacute. Corolla-tube c. 6 mm. long, subcampanulate; lobes c. 2–3 mm. long, oblong, obtuse, reflexed. Anthers us. included. Capsule 5–7-valved, (4)–5–6 mm. long, depressed-globose.
[From: Allan (1961) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 1.]