Pentaglottis sempervirens (L.) L.H.Bailey

Herb, hispid throughout. Stems to c. 75 cm tall. Basal lvs with lamina to c. 30 × 15 cm, ovate or ovate-oblong, densely appressed hispid below, appressed hispid above with longer hairs bulbous-based; base attenuate; apex acute or mucronate. Cauline lvs smaller. Cymes dense, with up to 15 fls, each cyme with large lanceolate to ovate bracts. Calyx 2.55 mm long, longer at fruiting; lobes linear or linear-lanceolate. Corolla tube 3–4 mm long, densely hispid; limb 8–12 mm diam.; lobes patent, blue, rounded, with white eye composed of the protuberant scales. Style c. 2 mm long. Nutlets 1.5–2 mm long, ovoid, asymmetric, rugose, blackish.

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

Flowering: Nov.–Feb.