Subshrub forming dense low mats or cushions up to ± 2 m. diam., us. smaller; branches creeping and rooting, bark dark brown; branchlets slender, pubescent. Lvs densely crowded, sessile or subsessile, us. fascicled on short branchlets. Stipules rather broadly triangular, subacute, sheathing, pubescent, ciliolate. Lamina coriac., dark green above, paler below, ± pubescent, narrowly elliptic to obovate to oblong, cuneately narrowed to base, acute, (3)-5-(10) × 1-3 mm.; margins entire. Midrib alone evident or obscure. Fls greenish. ♂ solitary, terminal, ± 2 cm. long, filaments lengthening at anthesis; calyx obsolete or vestigial; corolla funnelform, lobes acute or subacute. ♀ solitary, terminal; calyx-teeth narrow-triangular; corolla tubular, short. Drupes purplish red or pale blue, globose, 6-8 mm. diam.
More
A low growing shrub. It can grow 8 cm high and spread 0.9 m wide. It forms a dense cushion. The leaves are small and dark green and needle-like. They are densely packed on small dark brown branches. The fruit are berries. They are pale blue to purple.
Lowland to higher montane grassland, stream margins, rocky places and dry river beds on North and South Islands.
More
It is a temperate plant. It grows in alpine areas in New Zealand. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.
Home