The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Species

Veronica pareora

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'.
pareora: Named after the Pareora Range, the type locality of this species

Current Conservation Status

2018 - Threatened - Nationally Critical

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

2012 - Threatened - Nationally Vulnerable
2009 - At Risk - Naturally Uncommon
2004 - Range Restricted

Qualifiers

2012 - DP, RR, Sp

Authority

Veronica pareora (Garn.-Jones et Molloy) Garn.-Jones

Family

Plantaginaceae

Brief Description

Low growing sprawling shrub bearing pairs of blue-green dished oval leaves on short branches inhabiting rocky areas in the vicinity of Pareora (south Canterbury). Leaves 20-30mm long by 15-18mm, leaf base clasps the stem. Flowers white, in a spike to 7cm long near tip of branches.

Flora Category

Vascular - Native

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Trees & Shrubs

Synonyms

Hebe pareora Garn.-Jones et Molloy

Distribution

Endemic. New Zealand: South Island (south Canterbury – Hunter Hills (Rock Gully, upper Pareora Gorge, White Rock River and Nimrod Stream), possibly also Blue Duck Stream and Opihi River)

Habitat

Lower montane to montane. A riparian species of gorges where it grows on rock outcrops, on cliff faces, within ledges and crevices above fast flowing streams and rivers

Features

Large shrubs, branching from the base. Stems hanging or trailing, ascending at tips, naked except near apex, sparingly branched, glabrous, 1-3 m long, and up to 0.5 m tall. Leaf bud without sinus. Leaves oblong, ovate, obovate or elliptic, very fleshy-coriaceous, concave, spreading, glaucous, glabrous, amplexicaul to subauriculate, 15-30 × 10-18 mm; apex broadly obtuse; margins never red. Inflorescence a 12-60-flowered raceme; peduncle glabrous, 20-30 mm. Flowers pedicellate, pedicels glandular/eglandular-hairy, 2-5 mm. Bracts narrow-lanceolate, 2-4 mm, glabrous or minutely ciliolate. Calyx glabrous or minutely ciliolate, lobes lanceolate or narrowly oblong, acute or subacute, 2 mm. Corolla white, tube exceeding calyx, lobes narrow. Anthers purple. Capsule broadly angustiseptate, latiseptate or turgid, ellipsoid, emarginate or strongly didymous, glabrous, dark brown, about 3.5-5.0 × 2.5-3.5 mm, 1.5-2.8 mm thick, loculicidial split extending ½-way to base

Similar Taxa

Similar to Veronica amplexicaulis from which it is distinguished by its much longer, widely spreading stems, much larger leaves, glabrous peduncles, and consistently pedicellate flowers

Flowering

November - January

Flower Colours

Violet / Purple,White

Fruiting

December - October

Propagation Technique

Easily grown from cuttings and fresh seed. Prefers a sunny site and should be planted in a free draining soil. Dislikes humidity

Threats

Not Threatened. A Naturally Uncommon, range restricted and sparsely distributed plant which is widespread but never particularly common within its few known habitats. Some populations may be threatened by browsing animals.

Chromosome No.

2n = 40

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 6 Mar 2016