Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F.Blake

Nearly glabrous, deciduous shrub to c. 2 m high, forming dense thickets; stems ± erect, rather stout. Petioles 3–6 mm long, channelled above, sometimes ciliate. Lamina 2–4.5 × 1–3.5 cm (uppermost sometimes smaller), usually broad-ovate or broad-elliptic, less commonly elliptic, occasionally slightly lobed, otherwise entire, glaucous beneath, ± ciliate; veins level with surface; base broad-cuneate or rounded; apex obtuse or mucronate. Fls in axillary clusters or short terminal spikes. Peduncles glabrous. Bracts and bracteoles 1–2 mm long, broad-ovate, ciliolate. Calyx 0.5–1 mm long; lobes similar to bracts. Corolla c. 6 mm long, campanulate, pink, white-bearded inside. Stamens slightly exserted. Style included, glabrous. Drupe 10–15 mm diam., globose or subglobose, white, usually with several smaller abortive frs in same infructescence; pulp mealy. Pyrenes 3–4 mm long, whitish.

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

Flowering: Dec.–May.