Coastal Mountain Daisy

Botanical name: Celmisia major var. major

Synonyms: None

Common name(s): Coastal Mountain Daisy

About:
A distinctive coastal mountain daisy that differs from most members of the genus by inhabiting sea cliffs and coastal headlands rather than alpine environments. It forms dense tufts of narrow silvery-green leaves and produces attractive white daisy flowers with yellow centres. This rare North Island endemic is one of New Zealand’s most unusual coastal daisies.

Natural habitat:
Coastal rock headlands, cliff faces, offshore islets, coastal turf and occasionally coastal shrubland.

Growing environment:
Prefers full sun, moist but free-draining soils and open coastal conditions. Thrives in rocky sites exposed to wind and salt spray but dislikes competition from taller vegetation.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Found in northern North Island coastal habitats from Muriwai to Cornwallis, Kaikoura Island and Aiguilles Island. Now extremely rare on Great Barrier Island.

Height:
200–400 mm

Width:
Forms dense clumps up to 500 mm across.

Flowering:
August–February, mainly October–November

Fruiting:
October–May, mainly December onwards

Uses:
• Coastal gardens
• Rock gardens
• Native plant collections
• Coastal restoration projects
• Specialist conservation plantings
• Container growing

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A tufted perennial herb forming dense clumps from a compact crown, with long-lasting flowering stems that persist after blooming.

Leaves:
Narrow-linear to lance-shaped leathery leaves, typically 100–200 mm long but occasionally reaching 400 mm. Upper surfaces are dark green with a thin silvery pellicle that often breaks into irregular patches, giving a mottled appearance. Undersides are densely covered in silvery-white hairs. Leaf sheaths are pale with prominent red to dark-red veins and hairy margins.

Flowers:
White daisy flowers 20–40 mm across with numerous ray florets surrounding yellow disc florets. Flowers are borne on stout cottony stems rising above the foliage.

Fruit:
Produces narrow ribbed achenes equipped with fine white pappus hairs that aid wind dispersal.

Ecology:
A specialised coastal species adapted to exposed maritime environments. It grows amongst low coastal turf vegetation and survives in shallow peaty or silty soils where few larger plants can establish.

Associated habitats:
Coastal cliffs, rocky headlands, offshore islets, coastal turf, maritime rockland, coastal shrubland and exposed sea-facing slopes.

How to grow:
Plant in a sunny position with excellent drainage and moderate moisture. Suitable for coastal gardens and exposed rockeries. Keep free from weed competition and avoid heavy shade.

Propagation:
Easy to grow from fresh seed and readily propagated by division of established clumps.

Cultural use:
An unusual coastal representative of a predominantly alpine genus, valued as part of New Zealand’s unique northern coastal flora and increasingly important in conservation plantings.

Garden value:
An attractive and uncommon native daisy with silvery foliage and bright white flowers. Ideal for coastal gardens, rockeries and collectors interested in rare New Zealand coastal plants.