Any idea what this New Zealand plant might be?
 

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

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




Cathy

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...

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.

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

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

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