Species

Veronica plebeia

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'.

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 plebeia R.Br.

Family

Plantaginaceae

Flora Category

Vascular - Native

NVS Species Code

VERPLE

The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Herbs other than Composites

Distribution

Indigenous to Australia and New Zealand. In New Zealand known from the Three Kings, North, northern South and Chatham Islands.

Flower Colours

Blue

Propagation Technique

Easy from fresh seed, stem cuttings and layered pieces. An attractive ground cover. Can be used as an alternative to grass in a lawn. Prefers a well drained soil in full sun but will also grow in semi-shaded and soils prone to winter water logging

Threats

Not Threatened

Endemic Taxon

No

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

Where To Buy

Not Commercially available

This page last updated on 20 Jan 2014