- ≡ Loranthus colensoi Hook.f. in Hooker, Icon. Pl. 7, t. 633 (1844)
- ≡ Elytranthe colensoi (Hook.f.) Engl. (1897)
Glab. bushy shrub up to 1 m. or more diam. Branches arising from rather massive base, branchlets terete. Lvs opp., on stout petioles up to c. 2 cm. long. Lamina thick, coriac., veins obscure; broad-oblong to obovate or suborbicular; margins entire or occ. crenulate; apex sts emarginate. Infl. axillary, (3)–5–10-fld on stout peduncles 1–2.5 cm. long. Fls sessile, each subtended by broad-obovate bract ± 4–5 mm. long. Receptacle cupular, us. with truncate rim (sts 4–5-toothed). Per. cylindric in bud, inflated at base and apex, splitting into 4 linear scarlet tepals up to 2.5 cm. long. Anthers very narrow, basifixed; style ± = tepals. Fr. ovoid-ellipsoid.
[From: Allan (1961) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 1 as Elytranthe colensoi (Hook.f.) Engl.]