Olearia cymbifolia is endemic to the South Island, and is found in scrub-land in mountains and sub-alpine districts, east of the main divide from Nelson and Marlborough through to Otago from 610m to 1200m asl. A much branched and very neat shrub with an erect habit has much-rolled, boat shaped leaves, and grows up to 1 to 2m tall. It has white flowers with a yellow centre from November to January. Hardy, and very drought resistant. In the garden it can make quite a neat shrub which can be useful in the front positions of a border.