Olearia macrodonta (mountain holly or arorangi in New Zealand, or New Zealand holly elsewhere) is a small sub-alpine evergreen tree endemic to New Zealand, from the plant family Asteraceae. It is closely related to the narrow-leaved Olearia ilicifolia, with which it shares several characteristics including largely undulating and serrated grey-green leaves. These common characteristics mean the two species are often confused with one another. It is found in lowland to sub-alpine forests from the East Cape of the North Island of New Zealand southwards throughout the South Island and Stewart Island, at 450- in altitude.
Olearia macrodonta is a shrub to spreading small tree that grows 1.5- tall. Its leaves are 5- long, 2.5cm-4cmcm (01inches-02inchescm) wide, with undulating and coarsely serrated margins, greyish green above. Its daisy-like composite flowers are white with yellow centres and grow in large, rounded, much-branched corymbs.[1]
Despite its common name, O. macrodonta is not closely related to the true hollies Ilex. The specific epithet macrodonta means "large-toothed", referring to the leaves.[2]
This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[3]