Myrsine nummularia or creeping matipou is endemic to the North, South and Stewart Islands. It is fairly widespread in montane to low alpine regions from the East Cape southwards, but absent from Mount Taranaki and often local elsewhere. It usually grows in sheltered places in tussock  grassland, tussock-low shrubland, snow tussock-herfields, open alpine shrubland and around rocky outcrops from 600 to 1520m asl., but descending to sea-level on Stewart Island. This rather small, low rambling subshrub can have slender branches up to 50cm long that are pale to deep reddish brown in colour, and often rooting. Its rounded to sometimes heart-shaped leaves can be bronze when exposed to full light, paler brownish green underneath or sometimes purple. Its very minute flowers are often inconspicuous and appear from October to February, then its bright bluish purple fruits can appear in December to May the following year as they take 12 months to ripen. It makes a very handsome ground-cover in a rock garden, or in an alpine house. It is easily grown in any well-drained soil in either sun or part-shade. It will tolerate  fairly dry conditions, but growth is slow, so for best results it should be grown where it has adequate moisture.