| Veronica strictissima | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Foliage of Veronica strictissima | |
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, 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.
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]
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]
Veronicastrictissima 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]
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]
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]
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]
Veronica strictissima can be confused with other Veronica species, and was once included with Veronica leiophylla [5] and Veronica 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]
Veronica strictissima may hybridise with Veronica salicifolia. [4]
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