Echium candicans L.f.

Branched shrub to c. 2.5 m high. Lvs on vegetative shoots usually to 20 × 5.5 cm, densely clothed in ± appressed, hirsute or hispid hairs and often appearing grey or silvery; hairs on upper surface often with bulbous bases; lamina decurrent on petiole and slightly amplexicaul; apex acuminate or nearly so; lvs on flowering shoots smaller and sessile. Infl. a dense columnar panicle of cymes, 20–40 cm high, with linear-lanceolate bracts subequal to cymes. Calyx 3–5 mm long, lanceolate to ovate, < corolla tube. Corolla 7–12 mm long, pale blue to deep blue and purple; upper lobes slightly larger. Stamens long-exserted; filaments filiform, usually pink or red. Nutlets 2–3 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: (Jan.)–Jun.–Nov.–(Dec.)