Olearia alpina, Buch.

A small ornamental alpine tree, 8–12 feet high, trunk 6–8 inches in diameter; branches, and leaves below, covered with pale buff tomentum. Leaves 5–6 inches long, ¼ inch broad, linear, entire on the margins, midrib very stout, veins close, diverging at right angles, thus forming a series of lacunæ on both sides of the midrib. Heads numerous, in large panicles, with diverging branches, involucres turbinate, flowers not seen; pappus reddish, whole inflorescence covered with brownish tomentum.

Common on the Tararua Mountains, and mountains towards Wanganui. A remarkable plant, closely allied to O. excorticata, Buch.; stems covered with thin brownish bark, which peals off in large papery sheets. This small tree is worthy of attention for ornamental shrubbery, although cultivation might rob it of much rugged beauty. Though closely allied to O. excorticata, Buch., the oblong leaf of that species presents when compared with the long linear leaf of this species a marked distinction.