The first name that was given to the Common Tree Daisy was Steiractis arborescens by Augustin de Candolle in 1836.

[3] Olearia arborescens is found in both the North and South Island, predominantly areas in the Southern Alps and central Otago.

[3] These areas predominantly have extreme climates as well as in some instances strong competition with other plants such as grasses and other shrubs.

[11] Beech forests and lowland areas provide the challenge of sunlight for the Common Tree daisy due to shading out by larger plants, as well as water availability.

[13] Success in the plantings of Olearia seedlings in a Landcare Research trial shows us that seeds germinate around October.

[13] This is also accompanied by a very low germination rate which may explain the relative rarity of Olearia arborescens recorded around the country.

[15] Overlaying the raw soil map from Landcare Research onto the iNaturalist sightings[9] shows a correlation.

[3] According to the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network, Olearia arborescens remains relatively untouched by introduced mammals such as deer, possums, pigs.

[3] Olearia arborescens is not considered to be part of their primary food source and are far too uncommon for these species to solely seek out.

There was a sampling of the diet of red deer undergone in the Fiordland National Park in mountainous areas.

[18] This hybrid was found on Mount Tarawera, continuing the Common Tree Daisy’s preference for Montaine environments.

The report hypothesizes that these hybridization events would be due to intense selection pressures such as the harsh alpine environment inhabited by Olearia arborescens.

This hybrid species had different characteristics presenting, such as tailed anthers which are an elongated part of the stamen that contains pollen and undersides of leaves densely covered in hairs.

The report also stated that this hybrid was more closely related to the Celmisia gracilenta than to Olearia arborescens.

Evolution of Olearia arborescens: The Common Tree Daisy evolved from a long lineage of plants.

This shows that relatives of Olearia arborescens are found throughout the world, including the small, tropical Island of St Helena.