Mutton-bird scrub

Botanical name: Brachyglottis rotundifolia var. rotundifolia
Synonyms: Senecio puffinii; Senecio reinoldii; Senecio rotundifolius
Common name(s): Mutton-bird scrub

About:
A hardy evergreen coastal shrub or small tree with large leathery rounded leaves that are glossy green above and densely felted white beneath. Well adapted to strong winds and salt spray, it forms dense sheltering scrub in southern coastal habitats.

Natural habitat:
Coastal cliffs, exposed banks, scrubland and treeline habitats of the southern South Island and offshore islands.

Growing environment:
Coastal tolerant, Wind tolerant, Frost tolerant, Drought tolerant once established & Free-draining soil tolerant.
Thrives in full sun and exposed coastal conditions.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Found naturally through the South, Stewart and Solander Islands.

Height:
Up to 6 m or more tall

Width:
Up to 4 m wide

Flowering:
Summer (December – January)

Fruiting:
Summer (January – February)

Uses:

• Coastal shelter planting
• Windbreaks
• Native revegetation
• Erosion control on exposed banks
• Seabird habitat restoration
• Feature foliage shrub

Appearance:

Growth habit:
Robust evergreen shrub or small tree with stout grooved branches and dense pale tomentum on young growth.

Leaves:
Large thick leathery leaves, rounded to broadly oblong, dark glossy green above and densely white or buff felted beneath. Margins entire and surfaces highly resistant to salt spray and wind damage.

Flowers:
Small discoid flower heads carried in large loose terminal panicles. Flower heads white-felted externally with yellow florets clustered at the tips.

Fruit:
Small ribbed cypselae topped with stiff barbellate pappus hairs aiding wind dispersal.

Ecology:
An important coastal and subantarctic shrub adapted to severe maritime exposure, strong winds and salt spray. Dense growth provides shelter and nesting habitat for seabirds including muttonbirds.

Associated habitats:
Often grows alongside coastal scrub, cliff vegetation, southern broadleaf shrublands and exposed treeline communities.

How to grow:
Best planted in full sun with free-draining soil. Extremely tolerant of coastal exposure and wind. Suitable for harsh exposed sites where many other shrubs struggle.

Propagation:
Usually propagated from fresh seed or semi-hardwood cuttings. Fast growing and adaptable once established.

Cultural use:
Associated with traditional muttonbird harvesting areas where dense coastal scrub provided shelter for nesting seabirds important to southern Māori communities.

Garden value:
An outstanding foliage shrub for exposed coastal gardens and difficult sites. The glossy rounded leaves with striking white undersides create strong texture and movement in wind, making it highly valuable for native landscaping and shelter planting.