Olearia nummulariifolia is alpine tree daisy shrub with a twiggy dense growth up to 3 m high with branchlets that are sticky in the young stage and are clothed with white or yellowish star-shaped hairs.

It is found in alpine dry and open situations usually at 2,000 – 4,500 ft (600 – 1,400 m), from Lat 37 degrees 30.minutes southwards throughout New Zealand descending to lowlands in the southern part of its range. O. nummulariifolia has small closely set yellow-green leaves (5 - 10mm long and 4 - 6 mm wide). They are leathery, very thick and small roundish, (coin-shaped hence the specific name) leaves that have a brownish tomentum underneath. Its daisy flowers appear in spring through to autumn on the branch tips.