Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Lamiales Bromhead
Family
Plantaginaceae Juss.
Genus
Veronica L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Veronica rigidula Cheeseman, Man. New Zealand Fl. 514 (1906) var. rigidula
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Hebe rigidula (Cheeseman) Cockayne & Allan, Trans. New Zealand Inst. 56: 20 (1926) var. rigidula
 Description

Leaves usually narrowly elliptic or sometimes elliptic or oblanceolate, 7.7–31.4 mm long, 2.1–7.4 mm wide, mostly 3.6–4.4 times as long as broad, concave when viewed from above. Pedicels 0.1–0.8 mm long.

 Distribution

South Island: Sounds Nelson (Pelorus Valley, Bryant Range, Richmond Range). Specimens from Mt Duppa were also placed under var. rigidula by Bayly and Kellow (2006), who discussed their similarities to both varieties.

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

Open, rocky habitats, sparse scrub, outcrops, boulder falls, cliffs, and gorges, on both greywacke and ultramafic rocks. Recorded elevations range from 21 to 1524 m.

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Cytology

2n = 40 (see Bayly & Kellow 2006, as Hebe rigidula var. rigidula)

 Images
Veronica rigidula var. rigidula. Fruiting sprig. Scale = 10 mm. Image: P.J. Garnock-Jones © P.J. Garnock-Jones CC-BY-NC 3.0 NZ
Veronica rigidula var. rigidula. Fruiting sprig. Scale = 10 mm. Image: P.J. Garnock-Jones © P.J. Garnock-Jones CC-BY-NC 3.0 NZ
Veronica rigidula var. rigidula. Leaf surfaces, adaxial (left) and abaxial (right). Scale = 1 mm. Image: W.M. Malcolm © Te Papa CC-BY-NC 3.0 NZ
Veronica rigidula var. rigidula. Leaf surfaces, adaxial (left) and abaxial (right). Scale = 1 mm. Image: W.M. Malcolm © Te Papa CC-BY-NC 3.0 NZ
Veronica rigidula var. rigidula. Leaf bud with acute sinus. Scale = 1 mm. Image: P.J. Garnock-Jones © P.J. Garnock-Jones CC-BY-NC 3.0 NZ
Veronica rigidula var. rigidula. Leaf bud with acute sinus. Scale = 1 mm. Image: P.J. Garnock-Jones © P.J. Garnock-Jones CC-BY-NC 3.0 NZ
Veronica rigidula var. rigidula. Flowers. Scale = 1 mm. Image: P.J. Garnock-Jones © P.J. Garnock-Jones CC-BY-NC 3.0 NZ
Veronica rigidula var. rigidula. Flowers. Scale = 1 mm. Image: P.J. Garnock-Jones © P.J. Garnock-Jones CC-BY-NC 3.0 NZ
Veronica rigidula var. rigidula. Inflorescence (above) and infructescence (below). Scale = 10 mm. Image: M.J. Bayly & A.V. Kellow (above)/P.J. Garnock-Jones (below) © Te Papa/P.J. Garnock-Jones CC-BY-NC 3.0 NZ
Veronica rigidula var. rigidula. Inflorescence (above) and infructescence (below). Scale = 10 mm. Image: M.J. Bayly & A.V. Kellow (above)/P.J. Garnock-Jones (below) © Te Papa/P.J. Garnock-Jones CC-BY-NC 3.0 NZ
Veronica rigidula var. rigidula. Capsules. Scale = 1 mm. Image: P.J. Garnock-Jones © P.J. Garnock-Jones CC-BY-NC 3.0 NZ
Veronica rigidula var. rigidula. Capsules. Scale = 1 mm. Image: P.J. Garnock-Jones © P.J. Garnock-Jones CC-BY-NC 3.0 NZ
 Bibliography
Bayly, M.J.; Kellow, A.V. 2006: An Illustrated Guide to New Zealand Hebes. Te Papa Press, Wellington.
Bayly, M.J.; Kellow, A.V.; Mitchell, K.A.; Markham, K.R.; de Lange, P.J.; Harper, G.E.; Garnock-Jones, P.J.; Brownsey, P.J. 2002: Descriptions and flavonoid chemistry of new taxa in Hebe sect. Subdistichae (Scrophulariaceae). New Zealand Journal of Botany 40(4): 571–602. [as Hebe rigidula (Cheeseman) Cockayne & Allan; Hebe rigidula (Cheeseman) Cockayne & Allan var. rigidula]
Cheeseman, T.F. 1906: Manual of the New Zealand Flora. Government Printer, Wellington.
Cockayne, L.; Allan, H.H. 1926: A proposed new botanical district for the New Zealand region. Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 56: 19–20.
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Hitchmough, R.; Townsend, A.J. 2009: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand (2008 revision). New Zealand Journal of Botany 47: 61–96. [as Hebe rigidula (Cheeseman) Cockayne & Allan var. rigidula] [Naturally uncommon]
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Heenan, P.B.; Courtney, S.P.; Molloy, B.P.J.; Ogle, C.C.; Rance, B.D. 2004: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42(1): 45–76. [as Hebe rigidula (Cheeseman) Cockayne & Allan var. rigidula]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Naturally Uncommon]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [as Hebe rigidula (Cheeseman) Cockayne & Allan var. rigidula] [Naturally Uncommon]
Garnock-Jones, P.J. 2023: Veronica. In: Breitwieser, I. (ed.) Flora of New Zealand – Seed Plants. Fascicle 9. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln.
Garnock-Jones, P.J.; Albach, D.; Briggs, B.G. 2007: Botanical names in Southern Hemisphere Veronica (Plantaginaceae): sect. Detzneria, sect. Hebe, and sect. Labiatoides. Taxon 56: 571–582.