NZ Holly (Olearia macrodonta)
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Tribe: Astereae
Genus: Olearia
Species: O. macrodonta
Binomial name: Olearia macrodonta
Common name: New Zealand Holly, Mountain Holly or Arorangi
Olearia macrodontia or New Zealand Holly elsewhere) is a small sub-alpine evergreen tree endemic to New Zealand, from the plant family Asteraceae. It is closely related to the narrow leaved Olearia ilicifolia, with which it shares several characteristics including largely undulating and serrated grey-green leaves. These common characteristics means the two species are often confused with one another. It is found from lowland to sub-alpine forests from the East Cape of the North Island of New Zealand southwards.
Through out the South Island and Stewart Island, from 450–1,200 metres in altitude. In Taranaki it is found on Mt Taranaki in the area of Holly Hut (named after this tree).Holly hut iis on the north side of Mt Taranaki by the Dome at the top of the Ahukawakawa swamp.
Olearia macrodontia is a shrub to spreading small tree that grows 1.5–6 metres tall. Its leaves are 5–10 centimetres long, 2.5–4 cm wide, with undulating and coarsely serrated margins, greyish green above. It's flowers are white with yellow centres and grow in large, rounded, much branched corymbs.
This tree can be seen at Spencer Place just off the walkway by the Te Kainga Marire Garden
Underside of the leaf
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