Olearia bullata is endemic to the eastern parts of the South Island from Canterbury to Southland, but rare on Banks Peninsula. It is found in montane shrub-land and scrub, and common in the mountains of Canterbury. A springy shrub up to 2m+ tall with slender, stiffly interlacing branches, it has small dark green wrinkly leaves that are white underneath. It has small creamy-white flowers  from November to January, and fluffy fawn coloured seed-heads from January that are dispersed by the wind.