Symphoricarpos orbiculatus Moench

Shrub 1–1.5 m high; stems thin, hairy, forming a dense bush. Petioles to 3 mm long, densely hairy, channelled above. Lamina 2–5 × 1–3 cm, ovate, elliptic, to almost suborbicular, entire, glaucescent and hairy beneath, densely so on veins, glabrous above except for midrib; veins impressed above, raised below; base rounded to subcordate; apex rounded, mucronulate. Fls in dense axillary clusters and short terminal spikes. Peduncles densely hairy. Bracts and bracteoles 0.7–1.5 mm long, broadly ovate, densely hairy. Calyx c. 1 mm long; lobes ciliate. Corolla c. 4 mm long, campanulate, whitish or pale pink, densely hairy inside. Stamens included. Style included, pilose. Drupes 5–8 mm diam., subglobose, purplish rose, often with abortive frs in same infructescence; pulp ± mealy. Pyrenes 2.5–3 mm long, whitish.

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

Flowering: Dec.–Feb.