Where found:

• Subalpine scrub and shrubland, Mt Taranaki/Egmont
  
• Forest edges, scrubland, along river banks
  
• From 1100 to 1400 metres above sea level
  

• A shrub or small tree with rigid, spreading branches, the twiggy branchlets are droopy and hairy when young
  
• Small (5-20 mm x 5-15 mm) heart shaped leaves are dotted with glands, the leaves are quite leathery and thick and have smooth edges
  
• Small flowers (2-3 mm) with 4 or 5 petals, occur on their own or in clusters below the leaves
  
• Small round purplish fruit (4-5mm)
  
• Bark often covered with lichen