Pachystegia Cheesman (1925), in the family Compositae, contains around 3 species in New Zealand.

Description Spreading shrubs to 2m, with thick stems. The leaves are crowded at the tips of the branches, evergreen, simple, leathery, white or pale brown beneath. The flowerheads are large, solitary, white. Phyllaries large, very numerous, hairy. Ray florets numerous, narrow, all female. Stamens 5. Pollination is by insects. Ovary inferior, with 1 cell and 1 ovule; style 1, forked, flattened towards the tips. The fruits are 1-seeded, topped by a pappus of 1 row of equal, barbed bristles.

Key Recognition Features Leathery, rounded leaves, whitish beneath, and large, solitary, white daisy flowers.

Evolution and Relationships The Compositae is discussed under Senecio. Pachystegia is related to Olearia and sometimes united with it as Olearia insignis Hook. fil..

Ecology and Geography In rocky places and on river banks on South Island, New Zealand.

Comment Sometimes grown as an ornamental.