Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Ericales Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Ericaceae
Genus
Gaultheria Kalm ex L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Gaultheria colensoi Hook.f., Bot. Antarct. Voy. II (Fl. Nov.-Zel.) Part II, 162 (1854)
Vernacular Name(s):
Mountain snowberry
 Description

Shrub to 1 m high, usually erect, sometimes almost sprawling; branchlets puberulent. Lvs alternate, rather uniform, stiff, very thick and coriaceous; petioles to c. 1 mm long. Lamina c. 8–12 × 5–9 mm, elliptic, broadly elliptic to orbicular; margins crenulate to subentire; base broadly cuneate to rounded; apex usually rounded, sometimes apiculate. Fls in terminal and occasionally subterminal racemes to c. 4 cm long; pedicels glabrous or glabrate, to c. 5 mm long; bracteoles 1.5–2 mm long, ovate, acute to acuminate. Calyx lobes 1.5–2 mm long, ovate-triangular, acute or subacute. Corolla urceolate; tube c. 2.5 mm long; lobes shortly triangular. Capsules c. 3 mm diam., invested by dry calyx.

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

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Nov.–Jan.

 Bibliography
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]
Franklin, D.A. 1962: The Ericaceae in New Zealand (Gaultheria and Pernettya). Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Botany 1: 155–173.
Hooker, J.D. 1854–1855: The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage of H.M. Discovery Ships Erebus and Terror, in the years 1839–1843, under the command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross. II. Flora Novae-Zelandiae. Part II. Flowerless plants. Lovell Reeve, London.