Veronica strictissima

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Banks Peninsula hebe
Hebe strictissima AK7879.jpg
Isolectotype specimen
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Veronica
Species:
V. strictissima
Binomial name
Veronica strictissima
(Kirk). Garnock,-Jones (2007). [1]

Veronica strictissima, the Banks Peninsula hebe, is a species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae. It is only found on Banks Peninsula in New Zealand.

Description

Veronica strictissima is a randomly branching shrub, small to medium in size, growing to a height of 2 metres. [2] Its name in Latin, strictus, means erect and this refers to the plants erect branches. [3] Its branchlets are often glabrous or have tiny oppositely arranged hairs. These branchlets can be slightly red. [4]

The leaves are narrow and oblong 2–4.5 cm x 6-8mm, they are light green in colour, glabrous, with an entire margin and the lamina ending as a tip. The leaf margin can sometimes have minute hairs lining it. The leaves are simple and arranged oppositely with pairs alternating at 90 degrees along the branch (decussate). [2] The leaf bud has no gap at the base. [5]

The flowers are white, in a raceme spike up to 11 cm long. [5] The flowers can be hermaphrodite or female. The pedicels are 1-4mm in length and are covered in minute hairs. The calyx is 1.5 – 2 mm long oval in shape and blunt. The corolla tube is hairy inside. Hermaphrodite corolla have dimensions of 1.4–2.4 x 1.3–1.7mm they are slightly longer than the calyx the female corolla tube is 1.3–1.8mm making it equal to or slightly longer than the calyx. The corolla lobes can vary greatly and can be circular, elliptic, oblong obtuse, suberect or recurved. [6] V. strictissima is a gynodioecious plant meaning that some plants are hermaphroditic and other plants are female plants. [7]

The reproductive structures are stamen and the style. The stamen is 3-5mm the anthers are purple in colour, sterile anthers are light brown in colour they 1.2–1.8mm. The style is 2.3-6mm.

The capsules containing multiple tiny seeds. [8] Its branches [3] are obtuse are 2.9–4 x 2.2–2.6mm they can be hairy [6] with three calyx lobes. [2] Seeds are flat and brown; they are 1–1.6 x 0.9–1.3mm. [6]

Natural global range

Veronica strictissima is native to New Zealand and endemic to the Banks Peninsula, Canterbury. [9] [8] It is not naturally found in other places unless it has been planted intentionally.

New Zealand range

Veronica strictissima is native and endemic to the Port Hills and Akaroa regions of Banks Peninsula. And all natural findings of this species have been in these areas with multiple separate populations. [7] [10] [11] [6]

Habitat preferences

The genus Veronica are fast growing and thrive in sunny open areas, [12] [7] such as scrubland, [6] steep banks and bluffs. [8] V. strictissima, is found only on Banks Peninsula, which has different climatic conditions to the rest of Canterbury area. V. strictissima has been found to grow at an altitude of around 500m [13] but go from the coast up to at least 800m. [8] It is not very tolerant of shade. [12] But is found to be a ruderal species as they respond well to disturbances. [12]

Life cycle/phenology

Flower initiation occurs after a period of spring growth. [7] V. strictissima begins its summer flowering during the months December through to March and sometimes to June with some plants. [6] Individual plants will flower for 2–5 weeks. The flowers on the spike of one plant will normally flower at the same time. Capsules will form during the months March through to April [6] and will dehisce seeds in autumn. [7] These seeds are wind dispersed. [12] [14] The seeds can also be dispersed by birds and lizards. [15] The flowers are pollinated by a single native bee Lasioglossum sordidum . [7]

Diet and foraging

Soil composition of Banks Peninsula is different to Lower Canterbury. It is made up of loess and basalt rock, while Lower Canterbury is predominantly alluvial. [16] V. strictissima is found to prefer soil with moderate levels of moisture with low salinity and good soil drainage. [15]

Predators, parasites, and diseases

Veronica strictissima is eaten by grazing species such as sheep, goats and cows. [7] [8] The fruit are eaten by lizards and birds. Lizards and birds also feed on the nectar. [15] The flowers are pollinated by a native bee, L. sordidum which feeds off the nectar and takes pollen with it. [7] V. strictissima and other species from the genus Veronica are also fed on by hebe plume moth Platyptilia and large hebe loopers Xyridacma veronicae . [17] Hebe gall midges, hebe leaf miner flies and hebe gall mites also live off V. strictissima. [17]

Cultural and medicinal uses

It was used culturally for medicinal purposes as a cure for dysentery. It worked effectively and was used in the second world war. For Maori it was traditionally used for a number of things including a decoction for ulcers, headaches, kidney and bladder troubles. [17]

Other information

Veronica strictissima can be confused with other hebe species and was once included with Veronica leiophylla [3] as well as Veronica parviflora. [10] It is very similar to Veronica traversii , which is far more widespread, being found in Canterbury, Marlborough and Nelson. [8] There are suggestions that it is able to hybridise with Veronica salicifolia and a possible specimen is found in Wellington Herbarium. [6]

Veronica strictissima provides ecological services by controlling erosion. [15]

Related Research Articles

<i>Veronica <span style="font-style:normal;">sect.</span> Hebe</i> Genus of flowering plants

Veronica sect. Hebe is a group of plants within the genus Veronica, native to New Zealand, Rapa in French Polynesia, the Falkland Islands and South America. It was formerly treated as the separate genus Hebe. It includes about 90 species. Almost all species occur in New Zealand, apart from Veronica rapensis and Veronica salicifolia, found in South America. It is named after the Greek goddess of youth, Hebe. Informally, species in the section may be called shrubby veronicas or hebes.

<i>Veronica</i> (plant) Genus of flowering plants in the family Plantaginaceae

Veronica is the largest genus in the flowering plant family Plantaginaceae, with about 500 species. It was formerly classified in the family Scrophulariaceae. Common names include speedwell, bird's eye, and gypsyweed.

<i>Veronica hederifolia</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae

Veronica hederifolia, the ivy-leaved speedwell, is a flowering plant belonging to the family Plantaginaceae. It is native to Europe, western Asia and north Africa and it is present in other places as an introduced species and a common weed. Solitary blue flowers occur in leaf axils, each with a corolla up to one centimetre (0.4 in) wide. The fruit is a dehiscent capsule.

<i>Veronica breviracemosa</i> Species of flowering plant

Veronica breviracemosa, synonym Hebe breviracemosa, is a plant in the hebe group of the family Plantaginaceae native to Raoul Island of New Zealand's Kermadec Islands, where it is found in coastal cliffs and headlands.

<i>Veronica speciosa</i> Species of flowering plant

Veronica speciosa, synonym Hebe speciosa, is a species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae, known by the common names New Zealand hebe, showy hebe, showy-speedwell, and the Māori names titirangi and napuka. Like most hebes, it is native to New Zealand but it can be found in other parts of the world where it is grown as an ornamental for its showy flowers.

<i>Veronica albicans</i> Species of flowering plant

Veronica albicans, synonym Hebe albicans, is a species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae, native to New Zealand.

<i>Veronica odora</i> Species of flowering plant

Veronica odora, known as the boxwood hebe, mountain-box, Hebe odora or Hebe buxifolia, is a plant in the family Plantaginaceae, and it is native to New Zealand. Veronica odora was discovered on the Auckland Islands by J.D Hooker in 1840. A certain amount of confusion later arose following its collection on mainland New Zealand by Ernst Dieffenbach and its naming as Veronica buxifolia by George Bentham. Even overseas, Veronica odora is still not infrequently known as Veronica buxifolia.

<i>Veronica salicifolia</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae

Veronica salicifolia, synonym Hebe salicifolia, the koromiko, or willow-leaf hebe, is a flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae, which is found throughout the South Island of New Zealand and in Chile. It is a large, evergreen shrub, reaching 2 m in height, with light-green, spear-shaped leaves that are up to 12 cm long, and white or pale lilac flowers.

<i>Lasioglossum sordidum</i> Species of bee

Lasioglossum sordidum, also referred to as the small native bee, is one of the smallest native bees found in New Zealand.

<i>Veronica jovellanoides</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae

Veronica jovellanoides, commonly known as Riverhead speedwell, is a threatened flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where only three plants are known in the wild. All are found within the Ernest Morgan Reserve, a 20 ha forest northwest of Auckland. Its discovery is accredited to a retired plant nursery owner, Geoff Davidson, who organised the land's protection a few decades prior, and found it by chance on a walk in November 2007.

<i>Veronica bishopiana</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae

Veronica bishopiana, the Waitākere rock koromiko, is a flowering plant belonging to the family Plantaginaceae. It is native to West Auckland in New Zealand, and was first described by Donald Petrie in 1926.

<i>Veronica brachysiphon</i> Species of flowering plant

Veronica brachysiphon, is a species of shrubby plant in the family Plantaginaceae, endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Plantago obconica</i> Species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae

Plantago obconica is a species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae that is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. William Sykes described the species in 1988. It is the smallest Plantago species in New Zealand. Plants of this species of plantain are perennial with a rosette habit, with very narrow, linear, keeled leaves, and fruiting capsules with a 1-cm long funnel-like base.

<i>Plantago triandra</i> Species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae

Plantago triandra is a species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae that is endemic to New Zealand. Sven Berggren described the species in 1877. Plants of this species of plantain are perennial with a rosette habit, with angular-ovate leaves, tiny calyces, numerous seeds, and often sessile flowers and fruiting capsules. The species is considered to be not threatened.

<i>Plantago unibracteata</i> Species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae

Plantago unibracteata is a species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae that is endemic to New Zealand. Knud Rahn gave the species its current name in 1996, based on Joseph Dalton Hooker's original description in 1854. Plants of this species of plantain are perennial with a rosette habit, with narrowly angular-ovate leaves with few teeth, and numerous angular or rounded seeds.

<i>Gaultheria crassa</i> Species of plant

Gaultheria crassa, commonly known as the scarlet snowberry, is a species of small shrub that belongs to the heath family Ericaceae. It is endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Plantago lanigera</i> Species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae

Plantago lanigera is a species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae that is endemic to New Zealand. Joseph Dalton Hooker described P. lanigera in 1864. Plants of this species of plantain are perennial with a rosette habit, leaves widest above the middle, few small angular to rounded seeds per capsule, glabrous bracts and sepals, and punctate leaves. It is listed as Not Threatened.

<i>Plantago novae-zelandiae</i> Species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae

Plantago novae-zelandiae is a species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae that is endemic to New Zealand. Lucy Moore described P. novae-zelandiae in 1961. Plants of this species of plantain are perennial with a rosette habit, leaves widest above the middle, up to 4 ellipsoid seeds per capsule, glabrous bracts and sepals, and punctate leaves. It is listed as Not Threatened.

<i>Plantago raoulii</i> Species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae

Plantago raoulii is a species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae that is endemic to New Zealand. Joseph Decaisne described P. raoulii in 1852. Plants of this species of plantain are perennial with a rosette habit, leaves widest above the middle, usually 5 seeds in a specific arrangement in each capsule, and bracts with mostly glabrous edges. It is listed as Not Threatened.

<i>Plantago udicola</i> Species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae

Plantago udicola is a species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae that is endemic to New Zealand. Heidi Meudt and Philip Garnock-Jones described P. udicola in 2012. Plants of this species of plantain are perennial with a rosette habit, leaves widest above the middle, seeds uniform, ellipsoid and 1–4 per capsule, edges of bracts sparsely hairy, edges of sepals with isolated hairs at the apex only, and a chromosome number of 2n = 96 (dodecaploid). It is listed as Not Threatened.

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. 1 2 3 Allan, H. H. (1982). Flora of New Zealand. Volume 1. P. D. Hasselberg, Government Printer.
  3. 1 2 3 Chalk, D. (1988). Hebes and Parahebes. Timber Press.
  4. ↑ "Veronica strictissima". www.nzflora.info. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  5. 1 2 New Zealand Plant Conservation Network (2016). Veronica strictissima.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Bayly, M., & Kellow, A. (2006). An Illustrated Guide to New Zealand Hebes. Te Papa Press.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 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.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wilson, H. D. (2013). Plant life on Banks Peninsula. Manuka Press.
  9. ↑ Department of Conservation (2015). Native plants natural to Banks peninsula (PDF).
  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. 1 2 3 4 Department of Conservation (n.d.). Seed collection and propagation guide for native trees and shrubs.
  13. ↑ Delph, L. F. (1990). The evolution of gender dimorphism in New Zealand Hebe (Scrophulariaceae) species. Evolutionary trends in plants. 4(2), 85–97.
  14. ↑ 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)
  15. 1 2 3 4 Allan, H. (n.d.). Hebe Strictissima.[ permanent dead link ]
  16. ↑ 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 .
  17. 1 2 3 Crow, A. (2009). Which Native Forest Plant?. Penguin Books (NZ) LTD: Penguin.
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