Mountain Daisy
Celmisia ramulosa var. tuberculata
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Celmisia ramulosa var. tuberculata is a dwarf woody mountain daisy of the Central Otago ranges, mainly in the east of the district. Its stout stems sprawl or rise to about 20 cm long and are crowded with tiny leaves 5 to 10 mm long, softly white-felted underneath. White daisies 2 to 2.5 cm across appear from November to February on glandular-hairy stalks. It differs from the typical variety in its leaf margins, which are roughened with small hair-tipped papillae, the feature reflected in the name tuberculata. It is Not Threatened nationally but is regarded as Regionally Naturally Uncommon in Otago. Explore more native ground covers in our native plant guide.
Plant Description
Var. tuberculata is a compact woody plant with rather stout, procumbent to ascending branched stems to about 20 cm long. The leaves are densely crowded, linear-oblong to awl-shaped, 5 to 10 mm long and 1.5 to 2 mm wide, with soft white tomentum on the undersides and rolled margins.
Its flower heads are 20 to 25 mm across with white rays and yellow disc florets, held on densely glandular-hairy stalks of around 50 mm. The seeds bear white to dirty-white pappus hairs.
The distinguishing feature is the leaf margin: under a hand lens it is distinctly papillate-hairy, whereas in var. ramulosa of Otago, Southland and Fiordland it is entire and hairless. Among other small woody Celmisia, such as C. brevifolia, C. gibbsii, C. lateralis and C. walkeri, NZPCN separates C. ramulosa by its scape and leaf characters.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Celmisia ramulosa var. tuberculata |
|---|---|
| Height | Very low, mostly under 0.1 m |
| Spread | Woody stems up to about 20 cm long |
| Water Needs | Low to moderate; sharply drained |
| Light | Full sun |
| Frost Tolerance | High; tolerates severe continental frosts |
| Salt Tolerance | No information available |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Lifespan | Long-lived perennial |
Climate Best Suited to
Suits the strongly continental climate of Central Otago's block mountains, with very cold winters, snow cover, drying winds and warm, sunny summer days. Humid climates are unsuitable.
Regional Suitability
| City | Climate Suitability |
|---|---|
| Auckland | Low |
| Wellington | Low |
| Christchurch | Medium |
| Dunedin | Medium |
Plant Habitat
This variety is endemic to the South Island and confined to Central Otago, mainly in the east. Observations recorded on iNaturalist NZ cluster on the Old Man and Old Woman ranges, with scattered records from the Pisa Range, the hills near Middlemarch and the Paerau area.
Like the typical variety, it grows in upper montane to subalpine rocky places and fellfield, which on these ranges means schist rock outcrops and stony, wind-exposed ground.
Growing Requirements
Soil Requirements
It grows in thin, stony schist soils and rock crevices.
- Gritty, very free-draining mix with crushed schist or pumice
- Low fertility
- A stone mulch to keep the stems dry
Light Requirements
The open schist ranges give it full sun and wind.
- Full sun with good air movement
- Avoid sheltered, humid corners
Water Requirements
Central Otago is one of the drier parts of New Zealand, though the ranges are moister than the basins below, with snowmelt in spring.
- Water deeply but infrequently in summer
- Keep plants dry around the crown in winter
Planting and Establishing
As with the typical variety, NZPCN advises that it is difficult to propagate and should not be removed from the wild. It is a plant for specialist growers only.
Grow it in a crevice garden, tufa block or alpine trough in a cold, dry-summer district, wedging the stems between stones so the roots run deep into cool, gritty soil.
Ecological Role
The plant's dense, woody mats trap fine soil and organic matter between schist rocks. Seeds are carried away by wind on their pappus hairs.
No pollinator studies for this variety were found in the sources consulted.
Uses & Significance
Garden Uses
It is a curiosity for alpine enthusiasts in dry, cold districts.
- Crevice gardens built from schist
- Alpine troughs and tufa
- Collections of Central Otago flora
Ecological Value
It contributes to the rich endemic flora of the Central Otago block mountains, where several Celmisia are confined to these ranges.
- Endemic to Central Otago
- Part of schist tor and fellfield plant communities
- Wind-dispersed seed
Landscaping Uses
Use it as a tiny accent wedged between flat schist slabs, where its grey-green tufts and white daisies echo the tors of the Old Man Range.
Surround it with grit rather than soil so it is not swamped by faster plants.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring
Growth resumes as snow melts off the ranges.
- Top up grit around the stems
- Check pots for winter rot
Summer
White daisies open from November through to February.
- Water during prolonged dry spells
- Keep air moving around pots
Autumn
Seeds ripen through to May and drift away on the wind.
- Collect seed from cultivated plants
- Sow immediately
Winter
Plants are dormant and may sit under snow on the ranges.
- Shelter pots from heavy rain
- No fertiliser
When to Prune and How Much
Do not prune. Simply pick off dead flower stalks and any browned shoots.
Older woody stems regrow poorly, so avoid trimming them.
How to Grow Mountain Daisy
NZPCN describes Celmisia ramulosa var. tuberculata as difficult to propagate and says it should not be taken from the wild. No species-specific protocol has been published in the sources consulted, so the methods below follow general practice for small woody mountain daisies and should be treated as experiments. Only use plants or seed already in cultivation, or material collected under permit for conservation work. The biggest risks are warmth and humidity, so keep seedlings and cuttings in a cool, airy position in a very gritty mix.
From Seed
Seed is produced between January and May. It is short-lived, so sow it fresh rather than storing it.
- Collect seed heads when the pappus begins to fluff
- Sow on a gritty, low-nutrient seed mix
- Cover lightly with fine schist grit or pumice
- Place outdoors in a cold, shaded spot over winter to expose seed to natural chilling
- Pot on seedlings individually in spring, handling them by the leaves rather than the fragile stems
From Cuttings
Short shoot tips from cultivated plants may root in a clean, open medium, but success rates are uncertain. Taking several cuttings at once improves the odds that at least one will strike.
- Take short tip cuttings in late spring or early autumn
- Remove the lower leaves and insert in pumice or coarse sand
- Keep cool and lightly moist with good ventilation
- Move rooted cuttings to small pots of gritty mix and grow on in a cool, bright place
Pests & Diseases
No specific pests are recorded for this variety. Slugs may feed on flower stalks in gardens.
In wet or humid conditions the woody stems are prone to rot, which is the usual cause of losses in cultivation.
Cultural Significance
No traditional Māori name or use is recorded for this plant in the sources consulted.
The Old Man and Old Woman ranges where it is most often recorded are among the classic botanical localities of Central Otago, visited by botanists since the nineteenth century for their many endemic alpine plants.
Bonus Tip
Photographers and botanists trying to confirm this variety should take a close-up of a leaf edge. The papillate-hairy margin is the only reliable field character separating it from var. ramulosa, and a sharp macro photo makes iNaturalist identifications far more useful.
Related Plants
Explore other native plants that share similar characteristics or habitats with Mountain Daisy (Celmisia ramulosa var. tuberculata), offering further insights into New Zealand's diverse flora. These related species provide context and opportunities for complementary planting in your garden.
Petrie's Mountain Daisy
Celmisia petriei
Tin Range Mountain Daisy
Celmisia polyvena
Celmisia prorepens
Celmisia prorepens
Celmisia ramulosa var. ramulosa
Celmisia ramulosa var. ramulosa
Celmisia rigida
Celmisia rigida
Celmisia rupestris
Celmisia rupestris
Celmisia rutlandii
Celmisia rutlandii
Thomson's Mountain Daisy
Celmisia thomsonii
Plant Conservation
Var. tuberculata is ranked Not Threatened nationally (2023), but the 2025 Otago regional assessment lists it as Regionally At Risk - Regionally Naturally Uncommon because it is confined to a limited set of ranges.
Parts of its range lie within conservation land such as the Pisa Conservation Area. No specific threats are documented in the sources consulted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does tuberculata mean in Celmisia ramulosa var. tuberculata?
It refers to small bumps, and describes the leaf margins of this variety, which are distinctly papillate-hairy instead of smooth and hairless as in var. ramulosa.
Which Central Otago ranges have Celmisia ramulosa var. tuberculata?
NZPCN places it in Central Otago, mainly in the east. Most iNaturalist observations come from the Old Man and Old Woman ranges, with others from the Pisa Range and the ranges near Middlemarch.
When does Celmisia ramulosa var. tuberculata flower?
It flowers from November to February, and fruits from January to May when the wind-dispersed seeds ripen.
Sources and Further Reading
The botanical, growing, and conservation details for Mountain Daisy (Celmisia ramulosa var. tuberculata) on this page draw on the New Zealand plant references below. Consult them for full technical records and the latest distribution data.