Veronica pimeleoides subsp. faucicola
Common names
hebe
Synonyms
Hebe pimeleoides var. rupestris Cockayne et Allan nom. illeg.; Hebe pimeleoides subsp. faucicola Kellow et Bayly
Family
Plantaginaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
Chromosome number
2n = 40, 80
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2017 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website. This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2012 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants.
Please note, threat classifications are often suggested by authors when publications fall between NZTCS assessment periods – an interim threat classification status has not been assessed by the NZTCS panel.
- Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017 . 2018. Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, John W. Barkla, Shannel P. Courtney, Paul D. Champion, Leon R. Perrie, Sarah M. Beadel, Kerry A. Ford, Ilse Breitwieser, Ines Schönberger, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Peter B. Heenan and Kate Ladley. Department of Conservation. Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2017 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: RR, Sp
Previous conservation statuses
2012 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: RR, Sp
2009 | At Risk – Naturally Uncommon | Qualifiers: CD
2004 | Gradual Decline
Simplified description
Blue-green sprawling shrub bearing pairs of oval pointed leaves on reddish stems inhabiting dry rocky sites in Otago. Leaves 7.5-15.5mm long by 3.1-8.7mm wide. Leaf bud with small narrow gap between leaves at base. Flowers white or pinkish, in spikes with up to 24 flowers.
Distribution
Endemic to South Island, apparently restricted to central Otago in the Manuherikia, Kawarau and Clutha river valleys. May be more widespread.
Habitat
Occurs in exposed rocky outcrops and cliff faces. Often found growing in gorges.
Detailed description
Small bushy shrub growing up to 70cm tall. Inflorescences have between 4 and 12 flowers. The flowers are mauve but fade to pale pink (or almost white) after pollination.
Flowering
December - March
Flower colours
Violet/Purple, White
Fruiting
January - May
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’.
pimeleoides: Like a pimelea
faucicola: From the Latin fauces ‘throat, gorge’ and -cola ‘dweller, inhabitant’, meaning gorge dweller in reference to this plant’s habitat.
Where To Buy
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared by P.J. de Lange for NZPCN (1 June 2013)
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Veronica pimeleoides subsp. faucicola Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/veronica-pimeleoides-subsp-faucicola/ (Date website was queried)