The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Found when wandering the dry, exposed, northerly aspect foothills of the Dunstan Range (Central Otago) over the holidays. Ilex and Berberis/Mahonia came to mind, but seemed unlikely. I doubt it is either Olearia ilicifolia or O. macrodonta and do not have any other ideas. Inflorescences were not evident. Any suggestions? Thanks.

I can't quite make your image out on the left is Berberris glaucophylla and on the right us either an Olearia sect. Divaricaster of some sort or possible a Vittadinia sp. Any clearer images?

Thanks Peter. New image may help.
Plant on the right of original image is Thymus.
I could send high resolution images to an email address.

Hi Bill, - OK I thought you meant the white-flowered out of focus taxon in your first image. This image shows what i was calling barberry - and your new image is indeed a species of Berberis - either B. glaucophylla or B. vulgaris. A boatnist from down that way should be able to tell you.

Hi Bill, it is a Berberis - probably B. vulgaris which is occasionally found in Central Otago. It is possibly B. glaucophylla, but I haven't seen that species in Central. John Barkla may have some thought also.

I've seen both those species mentioned in Central Otago but I think it looks more like B. glaucophylla.