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Veronica obtusata

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Veronica obtusata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Veronica
Section: Veronica sect. Hebe
Species:
V. obtusata
Binomial name
Veronica obtusata
Synonyms
  • Hebe obtusata
  • Veronica macroura var. dubia

Veronica obtusata, the northern hebe, is a flowering plant belonging to the family Plantaginaceae. It is native to northern New Zealand, and was first described by Thomas Cheeseman in 1916.[1]

Description

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Veronica obtusata is a sprawling shrub with paired dark green leaves.[2] It looks similar to Veronica bishopiana, however tends to grow smaller and does not share the maroon-green leaves of Veronica bishopiana.[3]

Taxonomy

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The plant was first identified as Veronica macroura var. dubia by Thomas Cheeseman in 1916, later recategorised as Hebe obtusata in 1926 by Cockayne & Allan. More recently, the plant was recategorised as a species of veronica.[4]

Distribution

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Veronica bishopiana is naturally distributed in the coastal areas of the Waitākere Ranges of West Auckland, and the Kawhia and Whaingaroa harbours of the western Waikato region.[2][5] The populations in the Kawhia Harbour are threatened.[2] Veronica obtusata is typically found on steep slopes and banks, on cliff faces and rock stacks.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b Cheeseman, T. F. (1916). "New Species of Plants". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 48: 213. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q115588031.
  2. ^ a b c d Ward, M.D. "Veronica obtusata Fact Sheet". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  3. ^ De Lange, PJ (1996). "Hebe bishopiana (Scrophulariaceae)—an endemic species of the Waitakere ranges, west Auckland, New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Botany. 34 (2): 187–194. Bibcode:1996NZJB...34..187D. doi:10.1080/0028825X.1996.10410682. ISSN 0028-825X.
  4. ^ "Veronica obtusata Cheeseman". Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  5. ^ "Hebe obtusata". Auckland War Memorial Museum. 29 October 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2022.