Common in rank grassland bordering regenerating kauri (Agathis australis) / tanekaha (Phyllocladus trichomanoides) forest.

Mature primocanes glabrous, immature canes finely covered in sessile to near sessile glandular hairs and sparse, longer eglandular ones. Canes angular (not terete). Armature frequent on angles of canes and within the axis of the inflorescences. Stipules lanceolate, hairy. Leaf under sides hairy only on veins and midribs (not evenly tomentose - even near inflorescences), hairs long, somewhat flexuose. Inflorescences pubescent, bearing sparse prickles; prickles only slight curved, pale green on immature canes, maturing greenish-yellow. Sepals, broad, acuminate; acumen long and tapering; sepal surfaces evenly and thickly pubescent, without pricklets but bearing occasional sessile glandular hairs. Flower petals dark to light pink (not seen in these images sorry), not notably crumpled or crisped. Anthers glabrous. Fruits not seen.

Does not key out satisfactorily using the Rubus fruticosus key in N.Z. Flora IV. - best matches are R. nemoralis (which it does not look like, and the sepals lack pricklets) and R. cissburiensis x R. nemoralis - except that the underside of the leaves near the inflorescence are not evenly tomentose.

Voucher: P.J. de Lange 13282 & F.J.T. de Lange, AK 363389