Olearia ilicifolia

Olearia ilicifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Tribe:	Astereae
Genus:	Olearia
Species:	O. ilicifolia
Binomial name
Olearia ilicifolia Hook.f.

Mountain Holly (Olearia ilicifolia) is a shrub or small tree endemic to New Zealand also referred to as Hakeke or New Zealand Holly. It is a spreading shrub or small tree of the family Asteraceae, and has largely serrated and undulating grey-green leaves. It is closely related to the sub-alpine Olearia macrodonta, with which it shares the names Mountain Holly and New Zealand Holly, however it is much more common than Olearia macrodonta. It is found in lowland and sub-alpine forests from sea level to 1,200 metres (3,900 ft).

Description

Mountain Holly is a much-branching, spreading shrub to small tree that grows 1.5–4.6 metres (4 ft 10 in–15 ft 1 in) tall. Its leaves are 5–10 centimetres (2.0–3.9 in) long, 1–2 cm (0.39–0.79 in) wide, with undulating and coarsely serrated margins, greyish green above. Its flowers are white with yellow centres and grow in large terminal corymbs.^[1]

References

1. ^ Metcalf, L. J. (2000). New Zealand Trees & Shrubs; A Comprehensive Guide to Cultivation and Identification. Raupo Publishing. ISBN 9780790006628.