Forms extensive curtains of overlapping foliage. Striking crinkled sharp toothed leaves - light green, red to purple. Robust stems, woody at the base then fleshy spread out and root over the ground. Flowers are minute in small dense rough button-like clusters. Spring to Autumn. Each flower produces a single seed. Found from North to Tararua ranges. Moist shady lowland to mountain forests near streams on cliffs and waterfalls. Makes an effective ground cover under shady bush as long as it never dries out. Looks stunning on a bank or cascading over a retaining wall or rockery.