prickly mingimingi

Leptecophylla juniperina subsp. juniperina | prickly mingimingi, mingimingi

A a multi-branched shrub that typically grows to 2m tall, though it can appear dwarfed or prostrate in exposed areas. It produces small, solitary, bell-shaped white flowers, followied by slightly flattened, berry-like fruits, which vary in colour from bright red to pink or white on different bushes. These bushy, prickly shrubs are defined by their hard, narrow, sharp leaves, which are distinctly white underneath. This shrub is also commonly associated with kānuka-dominated forests, highlighting its ecological role within these habitats.