The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Species

Veronica stricta var. stricta

Etymology

Veronica: Named after Saint Veronica, who gave Jesus her veil to wipe his brow as he carried the cross through Jerusalem, perhaps because the common name of this plant is 'speedwell'. The name Veronica is often believed to derive from the Latin vera 'truth' and iconica 'image', but it is actually derived from the Macedonian name Berenice which means 'bearer of victory'.
stricta: From the Latin strictus 'upright, stiff'

Common Name(s)

koromiko

Current Conservation Status

2012 - Not Threatened

Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2012 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2009 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, Paul D. Champion, Shannel P. Courtney, Peter B. Heenan, John W. Barkla, Ewen K. Cameron, David A. Norton and Rodney A. Hitchmough. File size: 792KB

Previous Conservation Status

2009 - Not Threatened
2004 - Not Threatened

Authority

Veronica stricta Benth. var. stricta

Family

Plantaginaceae

Brief Description

Common bushy shrub bearing pairs of narrow pointed thin leaves inhabiting the North Island. Leaves variable, to 127mm long, widest around middle and tapering towards narrow tip, margin hairy (lens needed). Leaf bud with no gap at base. Flowers white or pinkish, spike to 22cm long.

Flora Category

Vascular - Native

NVS Species Code

HEBSVS

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Trees & Shrubs

Synonyms

Veronica stricta Benth., Veronica salicifolia var. stricta (Benth.) Hook.f., Hebe salicifolia var. stricta (Benth.) Cockayne et Allan, Veronica parkinsoniana Colenso, Hebe parkinsoniana (Colenso) Cockayne, Veronica salicifolia var. longiracemosa Cockayne, Hebe salicifolia var. longiracemosa (Cockayne) Cockayen et Allan, Hebe stricta var. atkinsonii (Cockayne) L.B.Moore, Hebe stricta (Benth.) L.B.Moore var. stricta

Distribution

Endemic to the North and northern South Island. Somewhat local in the far North, otherwise common and widespread in the North Island. Only locally common in the northern South Island.

Habitat

Common in successional habitats from coastal areas to lower montane habitats.

Features

Shrub or small tree (1-)2(-4) m tall. Branchlets finely pubescent. Stem internodes longer than stem diameter. Leaf bud without sinus. Leaves, spreading, 50-100(-120) mm, dull green to yellow-green (not glossy), lanceolate, linear-lanceolate, somewhat leathery, apex often acuminate, leaf margin usually entire, occasionally toothed. Inflorescence lateral, racemose, much longer than leaves, drooping, sometimes spiraled, all parts except flower finely pubescent. Flowers sweetly (sometimes over powerfully so) scented, lilac, mauve or white. Corolla tube 6 mm, exceeding calyx, narrow, cylindric, lobes rounded. Capsules < 5 mm long, pendent, all parts pubescent.

Similar Taxa

Veronica stricta var. stricta (including Hebe stricta var. atkinsonii - which has not valid name in Veronica) differ from the other varieties primarily by the open branching habit, dull-surfaced, somewhat leathery leaves, and by the longer stem internodes. Support for the on going recognition of Hebe stricta var. atkinsonii is doubtful. For those who wish to distinguish it, Veronica stricta var. stricta it differs from var. atkinsonii by the calyx-lobes, bracts and usually capsules, being finely pubescent, with the racemes (and capsules) usually drooping.

Flowering

(July-) August (-October) but flowering can also occur sporadically throughout the year

Flower Colours

Violet / Purple,White

Fruiting

(September-) November (-January) but seed capsules may be found throughout the year

Propagation Technique

Easy from fresh seed and semi hardwood cuttings.

Threats

Not Threatened

Chromosome No.

2n = 40, 80

Endemic Taxon

Yes

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

Life Cycle and Dispersal

Seeds are wind dispersed (Thorsen et al., 2009).

This page last updated on 17 Feb 2016