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Classification
Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Veronica tetragona Hook., Icon. Pl. 6, Plate 580 (1843) subsp. tetragona
Synonymy:
- ≡ Hebe tetragona (Hook.) Andersen, Trans. New Zealand Inst. 56: 693 (1926) subsp. tetragona
Vernacular Name(s):
whipcord hebe
Description
Branchlets strongly tetragonous to cruciform in cross-section; maximum width of ultimate branches usually 2.8–3.5 (rarely 2.4–4.5) mm; internodes 0.5–1.2 (rarely to 1.6) mm long; lamina usually 2.0–3.2 (rarely 1.8–4.0) mm long; apex sub-acute to acuminate, strongly keeled; edge of leaf at apex forming an angle <90° with adaxial surface and rounded to meet the abaxial surface.
Recognition
V. tetragona subsp. tetragona plants are generally larger and more robust than plants of subsp. subsimilis . Their leaves are larger (although there is some overlap) more strongly keeled, and elongated at the apex.
Distribution
North Island: Gisborne (Raukūmara Range), Volcanic Plateau (Mountains of Tongariro National Park, Rangipo desert, Kaimanawa Mountains), southern North Island (Kaweka Range and northern Ruahine Range to Otupae Range).
Habitat
Sub-alpine shrubland and penalpine grassland. Recorded elevations range from 700 to 1738 m.
Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
Hybridisation
Hybrids between V. tetragona subsp. tetragona and V. odora are sometimes found. Such plants have small, elliptic, sub-erect leaves 3–6 mm long (Bayly & Kellow 2006, p. 94).
Phenology
Flowers: December–February(–April); fruits: (January–)February–May(–November).
Cytology
2n = 40 (see Bayly & Kellow 2006, as Hebe tetragona subsp. tetragona).
Images
Bibliography
Andersen, J. 1926: Popular names of New Zealand plants. Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 56: 659–714.
Bayly, M.J.; Kellow, A.V. 2006: An Illustrated Guide to New Zealand Hebes. Te Papa Press, Wellington.
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. [Not Threatened]
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 tetragona (Hook.) Andersen subsp. tetragona] [Not Threatened]
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.
Heads, M. 1987: New names in New Zealand Scrophulariaceae. Botanical Society of Otago Newsletter 5: 4–11.
Hooker, W.J. 1843: Icones Plantarum. Vol. 6. Baillière, London.
