Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Lamiales Bromhead
Family
Plantaginaceae Juss.
Genus
Veronica L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Veronica officinalis L., Sp. Pl. 11 (1753)
Etymology:
The epithet officinalis refers to medicinal use.
 Recognition

Distinguished by its creeping to ascending, densely hairy stems, finely toothed, hairy, petiolate leaves with cuneate bases, erect, densely glandular-hairy lateral racemes, and very shortly pedicellate pale flowers.

 Distribution

North Island: Auckland.

Known from a single early collection at Nihotupu Track, Waitakere Ranges (CHR 8146, 8147, Hodgkins) and an unvouchered published record (see First Record).

Veronica officinalis distribution map based on databased records at AK, CHR & WELT. Image: K.Boardman © Landcare Research 2022 CC-BY 4.0
Veronica officinalis distribution map based on databased records at AK, CHR & WELT. Image: K.Boardman © Landcare Research 2022 CC-BY 4.0
 Habitat

Forest.

 Biostatus
Exotic
 First Record

Kirk in Hooker (1854–1855, p. 322). Voucher not found.

 Bibliography
Garnock-Jones, P.J. 2023: Veronica. In: Breitwieser, I. (ed.) Flora of New Zealand – Seed Plants. Fascicle 9. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln.
Hooker, J.D. 1854–1855: The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage of H.M. Discovery Ships Erebus and Terror, in the years 1839–1843, under the command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross. II. Flora Novae-Zelandiae. Part II. Flowerless plants. Lovell Reeve, London.
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.