Veronica strictissima
| Veronica strictissima | |
|---|---|
| |
| Isolectotype specimen | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Plantaginaceae |
| Genus: | Veronica |
| Species: | V. strictissima
|
| Binomial name | |
| Veronica strictissima | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
Veronica strictissima, the Banks Peninsula hebe, is a flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae. It is endemic to Banks Peninsula, Canterbury, New Zealand.
Description
[edit]Veronica strictissima grows to a rounded shrub to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) tall.[3][4] Its Latin name refers to its erect stems.[5]
Leaves are opposite and narrowly oblong, 9–49 mm (0.35–1.93 in) long, 3–8 mm (0.12–0.31 in) wide.[4] They are light green in colour with slightly paler undersides.[4]
Inflorescences are racemes up to 17–107 mm (0.67–4.21 in) long.[4] Flowers are hermaphrodite or female on separate plants.[4]
Capsules contain multiple tiny seeds.[6] Seeds are flat and brown, 1.0–1.6 mm (0.04–0.06 in) long.[7]
Natural global range
[edit]Veronica strictissima is endemic to Banks Peninsula, Canterbury, New Zealand.[6][8] Multiple separate populations have been identified in the region.[7][9][10][11]
Habitat preferences
[edit]Veronica strictissima is an early coloniser of disturbed habitats, occurring in sunny, open areas, such as rocky outcrops, cliffs,[6] scrubland,[7] and roadside banks from sea level up to 853 m (2,800 ft).[6]
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.[12] V. strictissima has been found to prefer moderate levels of moisture with low salinity and good soil drainage.[13]
Phenology
[edit]Veronica strictissima flowers in summer, sometimes till early autumn.[4][7] Individual plants will flower for 2–5 weeks.[9] The flowers on the spike of one plant will normally flower simultaneously.[9] Flowers are pollinated by a single species of bee native to New Zealand, Lasioglossum sordidum.[9] Seed capsules form during autumn[7] before dehiscing in late autumn.[9] Seeds are wind dispersed,[14][15] but can also be dispersed by birds and lizards.[13]
Ecology
[edit]Veronica strictissima is grazed upon by sheep, goats and cows.[6][9] The nectar and fruit are eaten by lizards and birds.[13] V. strictissima and other species from the genus Veronica are fed on by Platyptilia,Xyridacma veronicae.[16]
Cultural uses
[edit]Veronica strictissima was used as a cure for dysentery during World War II.[16] Māori used the plant as a traditional medicine for the treatment of ulcers, headaches, kidney and bladder troubles.[16]
Other information
[edit]Veronica strictissima can be confused with other Veronica species, and was once included with Veronica leiophylla[5] andVeronica parviflora.[10] 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.[6]
V. strictissima may hybridise with Veronica salicifolia.[4]
References
[edit]
- ^ 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) - ^ "Veronica strictissima". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
- ^ New Zealand Plant Conservation Network (2016). Veronica strictissima.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Flora of New Zealand | Taxon Profile | Veronica strictissima". www.nzflora.info. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
- ^ a b Chalk, D. (1988). Hebes and Parahebes. Timber Press.
- ^ a b c d e f Wilson, H. D. (2013). Plant life on Banks Peninsula. Manuka Press.
- ^ a b c d e Bayly, M., & Kellow, A. (2006). An Illustrated Guide to New Zealand Hebes. Te Papa Press.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Department of Conservation (2015). Native plants natural to Banks peninsula (PDF).
- ^ a b c d e f 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.
- ^ a b Cockayne, L.; Allan, H. H. (1925). The Present taxonomic status of the New Zealand Species of Hebe (PDF). Transactions of the New Zealand Institute.
- ^ Museum of New Zealand Te Papa (1876). Object: Veronica Strictissima (Kirk) Garn.-Jones; lectotype of Veronica parviflora var. strictissima Kirk.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Allan, H. (n.d.). Hebe Strictissima.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Department of Conservation (n.d.). Seed collection and propagation guide for native trees and shrubs.
- ^ 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) - ^ a b c Crow, A. (2009). Which Native Forest Plant?. Penguin Books (NZ) LTD: Penguin.