Veronica stricta var. stricta
Common name
koromiko
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
Family
Plantaginaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
NVS code
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.
HEBSVS
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). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2012 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: By 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.
2012 | Not Threatened
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | Not Threatened
2004 | Not Threatened
Brief description
Common bushy shrub bearing pairs of narrow pointed thin leaves inhabiting the North and South Islands. 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.
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 ongoing recognition of Hebe stricta var. atkinsonii is doubtful. For those who wish to distinguish it, Veronica stricta var. stricta differs from var. atkinsonii by the calyx-lobes, bracts and usually capsules, being finely pubescent, and 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
Life cycle
Seeds are wind dispersed (Thorsen et al., 2009).
Propagation technique
Easy from fresh seed and semi hardwood cuttings.
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’
Where To Buy
Commonly cultivated, though not often now seen for sale within commercial nurseries.
Taxonomic notes
Veronica stricta var. stricta as currently circumscribed remains a very variable species with both diploid (2n = 40) and tetraploid (2n = 80) cytoraces known. Further study into this variation is needed.
Attribution
Fact Sheet Prepared by P.J. de Lange (1 February 2005). Description based on Allan (1961) - see also Bayly & Kellow (2006).
References and further reading
Allan H.H. 1961: Flora of New Zealand. Vol. I, Wellington, Government Printer.
Bayly M. and Kellow A. 2006: An Illustrated Guide to New Zealand Hebes. Te Papa Press: Wellington.
Thorsen M.J.; Dickinson K.J.M.; Seddon P.J. 2009: Seed dispersal systems in the New Zealand flora. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 11: 285-309.
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Veronica stricta var. stricta Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/veronica-stricta-var-stricta/ (Date website was queried)