Veronica strictissima

Veronica strictissima
Foliage of Veronica strictissima
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Veronica
Species:
V. strictissima
Binomial name
Veronica strictissima
(Kirk) Garn.-Jones
Synonyms
  • Hebe strictissima (Kirk) L.B.Moore
  • Veronica parviflora var. strictissima Kirk
  • Veronica leiophylla var. strictissima Cockayne

Veronica strictissima, commonly known as the Banks Peninsula hebe, is a flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae. It is endemic to Banks Peninsula in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Description

Veronica strictissima grows to a rounded shrub to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) tall. Its Latin name refers to its erect stems.

Leaves are opposite and narrowly oblong, 9–49 mm (0.35–1.93 in) long, 3–8 mm (0.12–0.31 in) wide. They are light green in colour with slightly paler undersides.

Inflorescences are racemes up to 17–107 mm (0.67–4.21 in) long. Flowers are hermaphrodite or female on separate plants.

Capsules contain multiple tiny seeds. Seeds are flat and brown, 1.0–1.6 mm (0.04–0.06 in) long.

Natural global range

Veronica strictissima is endemic to Banks Peninsula, Canterbury, New Zealand. Multiple separate populations have been identified in the region.

Habitat preferences

Veronica strictissima is an early coloniser of disturbed habitats, occurring in sunny, open areas, such as rocky outcrops, cliffs, scrubland, and roadside banks from sea level up to 853 m (2,800 ft).

Banks Peninsula differs in soil composition compared to other areas of Canterbury, it is made up of loess and basalt rock, while lower Canterbury is predominantly alluvial. V. strictissima has been found to prefer moderate levels of moisture with low salinity and good soil drainage.

Phenology

Veronica strictissima flowers in summer, sometimes till early autumn. Individual plants will flower for 2–5 weeks. The flowers on the spike of one plant will normally flower simultaneously. Flowers are pollinated by a single species of bee native to New Zealand, Lasioglossum sordidum. Seed capsules form during autumn before dehiscing in late autumn. Seeds are wind dispersed, but can also be dispersed by birds and lizards.

Ecology

Veronica strictissima is grazed upon by sheep, goats and cows. The nectar and fruit are eaten by lizards and birds. V. strictissima and other species from the genus Veronica are fed on by Platyptilia, Xyridacma veronicae.

Cultural uses

Veronica strictissima was used as a cure for dysentery during World War II. Māori used the plant as a traditional medicine for the treatment of ulcers, headaches, kidney and bladder troubles.

Other information

Veronica strictissima can be confused with other Veronica species, and was once included with Veronica leiophylla and Veronica parviflora. It is very similar to Veronica traversii, which is far more widespread throughout New Zealand, being found in the Marlborough and Nelson districts as well as Canterbury.

Veronica strictissima may hybridise with Veronica salicifolia.

References

  1. ↑ Garnock-Jones, P., Albach, D., & Briggs, B. G. (2007). "Botanical Names in Southern Hemisphere Veronica (Plantaginaceae)". Taxon. 56 (2). Sect. Detzneria, Sect. Hebe, and Sect. Labiatoides. International Association for Plant Taxonomy, (IAPT), 56(2). 571–582: 571–582. doi:10.1002/tax.562028. JSTOR 25065812.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ↑ "Veronica strictissima". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
  3. ↑ New Zealand Plant Conservation Network (2016). Veronica strictissima.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Flora of New Zealand | Taxon Profile | Veronica strictissima". www.nzflora.info. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
  5. 1 2 Chalk, D. (1988). Hebes and Parahebes. Timber Press.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wilson, H. D. (2013). Plant life on Banks Peninsula. Manuka Press.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Bayly, M., & Kellow, A. (2006). An Illustrated Guide to New Zealand Hebes. Te Papa Press.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ↑ Department of Conservation (2015). Native plants natural to Banks peninsula (PDF).
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Delph, L. F. (1990). "Sex-ratio Variation in the Gynodiecious Shrub Hebe strictissima (Scrophulariaceae)". Evolution. 44 (1). Evolution, 44(1), 134–142. doi:10.2307/2409529: 134–142. doi:10.2307/2409529. JSTOR 2409529. PMID 28568202.
  10. 1 2 Cockayne, L.; Allan, H. H. (1925). The Present taxonomic status of the New Zealand Species of Hebe (PDF). Transactions of the New Zealand Institute.
  11. ↑ Museum of New Zealand Te Papa (1876). Object: Veronica Strictissima (Kirk) Garn.-Jones; lectotype of Veronica parviflora var. strictissima Kirk.
  12. ↑ Griffiths, E (1973). "Loess of Banks peninsula". New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics. 16 (3). New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 16(3), 657–675. doi:10.1080/00288306.1973.10431388: 657–675. Bibcode:1973NZJGG..16..657G. doi:10.1080/00288306.1973.10431388.
  13. 1 2 3 Allan, H. (n.d.). Hebe Strictissima.[permanent dead link]
  14. ↑ Department of Conservation (n.d.). Seed collection and propagation guide for native trees and shrubs.
  15. ↑ Thornsen, M. J., Dickson, K. J. M., & Seddon (2009). Flora of New Zealand. Volume 1.Seed dispersal systems in the New Zealand flora. file:///C:/Users/David%20beukes/Downloads/1-s2.0-S1433831909000237-main.pdf.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. 1 2 3 Crow, A. (2009). Which Native Forest Plant?. Penguin Books (NZ) LTD: Penguin.