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Veronica densifolia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Veronica densifolia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Veronica
Species:
V. densifolia
Binomial name
Veronica densifolia
(F.Muell.) F.Muell.[1]

Veronica densifolia, is a flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae. It is a low-growing, spreading plant with pink, white or purple flowers and grows in New South Wales.

Description

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Veronica densifolia is a small, tufted, perennial, decussate, prostrate shrub about 10 cm (3.9 in) high and about 20 cm (7.9 in) wide. The leaves mostly crowded, elliptic-shaped, about 5 mm (0.20 in) long, 2.5 mm (0.098 in) wide, margins with fine hairs, sessile and a blunt apex. The corolla white, pink or purple, 6–9 mm (0.24–0.35 in) long, calyx 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long and the lobes resembling leaves. Flowering occurs in summer and the fruit is an egg-shaped capsule about 4 mm (0.16 in) long, about 3 mm (0.12 in) wide, margins hairy and notched at the apex.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming

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This was first formally described in 1855 by Ferdinand von Mueller who gave it the name Paederota densifolia in Definitions of rare or hithertoo undescribed Australian plants.[4][5] In 1861, von Mueller transferred the species to the genus Veronica as V. densifolia in his Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae.[6][7] The specific epithet (densifolia) means "thick" and "crowded" in reference to the leaves.[8]

Distribution and habitat

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This species grows on stony, windy outcrops and low scrubland in alpine areas of New South Wales.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Veronica densifolia". Australian Plant Census.
  2. ^ a b Briggs, B.G. "Veronica densifolia". PlantNET-NSW Flora online. Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  3. ^ Bentham, George (1868). Flora Australiensis (IV ed.). London: L. Reeve & company. p. 505.
  4. ^ "Paederota densifolia". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  5. ^ von Mueller, Ferdinand (1855). Definitions of rare of hithertoo undescribed Australian plants. Melbourne: Goodhugh & Trembath. p. 31. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  6. ^ "Veronica densifolia". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  7. ^ von Mueller, Ferdinand (1861). Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae. Melbourne: Victorian Government Printer. pp. 137–138. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  8. ^ George, A.S; Sharr, F.A (2021). Western Australian Plant Names and their meanings (4th ed.). Kardinya: Four Gables. p. 185. ISBN 9780958034197.