Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Ericales Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Ericaceae
Genus
Dracophyllum Labill.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Dracophyllum townsonii Cheeseman, Man. New Zealand Fl. 420 (1906)
Synonymy:
Type: New Zealand. Paparoa Range, near the base of Mount Buckland. W. Townson s.n. (AK 6924, lecto.!; AK 6923!; AK 6925!; AK 6926!; AK 211642!; AK 211643! isolecto.!), designated by Oliver (1952).
Etymology:
Named after William Townson (1850–1926), a pharmaceutical chemist and plant collector, especially in the South Island.
 Description

Shrub or tree up to c. 6 m. tall; branches stout, bark dark brown to almost black. Lvs in dense clusters towards apex of branches; sheath gradually narrowed into stiff coriac. lamina 15–30 cm. × 8–15 mm., very gradually narrowed into fine point; margins minutely serrulate-crenulate. Panicles arising below lvs, compact, drooping, 5–8–(10) cm. long; main stalk and branches stout. Bracts c. 4 mm. broad, abruptly contracted into obtuse tips. Fls crowded, subsessile; sepals ovate-oblong, obtuse Corolla ± campanulate; tube c. 4–5 mm. long; lobes oblong, obtuse c. 2–3 mm. long, strongly reflexed. Anthers distinctly exserted; style c. 5 mm. long, rather slender. Capsule slightly depressed, globose, c. (3)–4 mm. long.

[From: Allan (1961) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 1.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Bibliography
Cheeseman, T.F. 1906: Manual of the New Zealand Flora. Government Printer, Wellington.
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Not Threatened]
Venter, S. 2021: A taxonomic revision of the Australasian genera Dracophyllum and Richea (Richeeae: Styphelioideae: Ericaceae). Australian Systematic Botany 34: 1–205.