About Pimelea oreophila Burrows
Pimelea oreophila is a plant with a prostrate growth habit. Its stems reach up to 50 cm in length and up to 5 mm in thickness. Its leaves are 8 to 10 mm long, feature distinct hair-tips, and are arranged in opposite rows. This species produces hairy white flowers that grow in clusters, and its fruits are orange or red. The species is endemic to New Zealand. In the North Island, it occurs only on the Volcanic Plateau and in the mountains between the Kaweka and Ruahine ranges; in the South Island, it is found across most mountain regions. This shrub grows in montane to high alpine areas at elevations between 500 and 2200 m above sea level. It is generally common, and it is the most important pimelea found throughout tussock grasslands and herbfields, extending into fellfield on sheltered sites. Four subspecies of Pimelea oreophila were formally recognised in 2011, and these subspecies have only slightly overlapping ranges.
