Pachystegia insignis or Marlborough rock daisy is endemic, and naturally occurs on steep rocky hillsides in coastal and mountain situations only in Marlborough. It is a native species of flowering plants in the daisy family, Asteraceae. It is a compact, low-growing shrub up to 0.9m -1m tall. It is highly resistant to summer drought conditions with their thick leathery leaves, dense felt like tomentum (matted woolly down) on the undersides and on young stems help to retain water. It daisy is common throughout eastern parts of Marlborough, but is most plentiful along the Kaikoura coast where it can be seen growing off many of the steep rocky bluffs or stony sites composed of sandstone gravels. The local rock types have a relatively high level of natural fertilizer especially calcium bound phosphorus
It has large dark green leathery glossy leaves 7.5 - 17.5 cm long which have a heavy felting of silvery, white tomentum on the upper surface when young, becoming deep green and glossy with age. The mature leaves are shiny green above and are clothed in a thick white or light brown tomentum beneath. In June to August the immature flower heads start as felt drumsticks and then bear daisy-like solitary white flower heads, up to 75mm across, with yellow centres. Fluffy seeds follow.
At present, 3 species are recognised in the genus.  Pachystegia insignis, Pachystegia minor and Pachystegia rufa all endemic to New Zealand. Pachystegia insignis is by far the most common and wide spread within the genus’s natural region which as the common name suggests is Marlborough. There it is found from the Wairau River in the north and to the south to the Waiau River North Canterbury and inland as far as Molesworth Station. The other two species, P. rufa and P. minor are also found growing within this range but are confined too much smaller areas. It is thought that P. rufa is only found in four small gullies all in close proximity. Pachystegia insignis hybridises readily with Pachystegia rufa, creating a variety of intermediate forms.