see Isoplectron armatum.

Known only from the Te Anau basin and the Kawerau - Clutha river valley.

The conditions that separate this species from its relative Isoplectron armatum are poorly understood. It is present at few sites in western/central Otago and the distributions of the two species almost overlap. Although the orginal description claims that this species is alpine it has since been found in dry stony manuka-matagouri mountain valley shrubland. Isoplectron armatum is in denser kanuka-broadleaf forest.