Veronica obtusata

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]

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

Description

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

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

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
  1. Cheeseman, T. F. (1916). "New Species of Plants". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 48: 213. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q115588031.
  2. 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. 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.
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