Lonicera nitida E.H.Wilson

Densely bushy, erect, evergreen shrub to c. 2.5 m high. Young shoots purple, densely puberulent and with scattered bristles. Petiole < 2 mm long. Lamina 5–12 × 3–8 mm, usually ovate to broad-ovate, less commonly elliptic, ± coriaceous, dark glossy green above, pale below, usually glabrous, sometimes with scattered hairs on midrib below; margins ± revolute; base cordate to rounded; apex obtuse, slightly mucronulate. Fls in axillary pairs, fragrant; peduncles very short. Bracteoles broadly triangular, < ovary. Calyx lobes c. 0.5 mm long, glandular-ciliate. Corolla 5–6 mm long, greenish white, with scattered hairs outside and densely glandular-scaly in lower part; tube c. 5 mm long; limb ± regular, < tube; lobes slightly unequal. Stamens exserted. Ovaries connate; style exserted. Fr. c. 5 mm diam., globular, translucent purple.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Oct.–Nov.