Olearia avicenniifolia, known commonly as mountain akeake, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae.[1] It is endemic to New Zealand where it is found on the southern coastlines of the South Island and on Stewart Island.[2] It is classified as Not Threatened.[3]
Mountain akeake is a small, bushy shrub or tree that grows up to 6 metres tall[4] and 3 metres wide. It has thin, papery bark[5] and angular branchlets covered in white tomentum. Leaves are oblong-lanceolate in shape. They are dark green in colour with a downy, white underside. Leaf length varies between 5–10 cm long and 3–5 cm wide.[6]
Flowers are clustered and daisy-like with white rays and purple central disks. They emerge between November and February and have a sweet scent. Flowers are about 5 centimetres wide and carried in clusters of three to ten. The flowers develop into fluffy seeds.
It was first described in 1846 by Raoul as Shawia avicenniifolia[7] and transferred to the Olearia genus by Joseph Hooker in 1864.[1]