Any idea what this New Zealand plant might be?

[stonedragonfarms]

Hey all, I encountered this neat plant when I was wandering near Devenport on my last trip South; anyone have any idea what it is? I'd like to add it to my collection...
Thanks!
Adam

[cday2inflorida]

It looks like a Bergenia. Google, Bergenia cordifolia. I think that is your plant.




Cathy

[stonedragonfarms]

the bergenia appears to have glossy leaves, while these are more "hairy" sort of like an iron cross begonia; this plant is also not as prostrate as bergenia appears to be...so I don't think that that is it...

[ronaldhanko]

I am not sure what this is but neither the leaves nor the flowers are right for Bergenia. If it's a native plant, as I assume it is, you might take it to a local University's botany department or to a botanic gardens, the photo that is, to have it identified.

[ronaldhanko]

Should have added that Bergenia is not native to New Zealand as far as I know.

[Baz in Oz]

It looks a lot like something I have growing that gets clumps of fluffy blue flowers.

If I'm correct, the plant grows rather large.

If you haven't found a name by tomorrow, I can ask the neighbour who gave my my plant.

Baz

[stonedragonfarms]

Baz, that would be great! I'm guessing that this is something from the Asteraceae family, I'd thought that it might be one of the Brachyglottis species, but I don't find any of them that have blue/purple flowers, nor are the leaves arranged in a consistent manner with any of the species that I have run across on the web. Any help that you might be able to provide would be most welcome. Ron, I'd not thought of forwarding the image to a university, though it makes great sense, I'll try that if I don't get any further. Thanks!
Adam