Veronica stenophylla is a species of hebe or veronica, endemic to New Zealand. It has three varieties, two of which are considered as Naturally Uncommon. it can be very difficult to distinguish from other similar veronicas. It is found in both the North and South Island.
Description This species is a generally low bush, up to in height, which can at times be sprawling. The underside of the leaves are pitted, which is one of the main distinguishing features, but a loupe may be necessary to see these. The leaf margins are usually glabrous and smooth.
There are many features which can or must be used in sequence to determine this species from other similar species.
Range and habitat In the North Island, var. stenophylla is found from Auckland sparsely south to Taupo and the center of the North Island, and then more commonly down to the bottom of the North Island and at the top of the South Island. Var. oliveri is found only on Stephens Island in the Cook Strait.
This species is found in open areas where it is able to get sun, often in rocky areas such as near roads or streams.
Etymology Stenophylla comes from the Greek for "narrow leaf", referring to the narrow leaves, which are generally common in veronicas. The name is a Greek replacement for the Latin angustifolia, a junior synonym.
Taxonomy The botanist Ernst Gottlieb von Steudel described a species in 1841 which he named Veronica stenophylla. It is part of the genus Veronica which is classified in the Plantaginaceae family. It has three accepted varieties according to Plants of the World Online.
Veronica stenophylla var. hesperia – This subspecies is Naturally Uncommon. It is found only in the northwest of the South Island. Veronica stenophylla var. oliveri – This subspecies is Naturally Uncommon, and only appears on Stephens Island in the Cook Strait, where it is found mostly on the western side on cliffs. Veronica stenophylla var. stenophylla – This subspecies is not considered At Risk, but is Not Threatened.
Veronica stenophylla has nine synonyms of the species or one of its three accepted varieties.
Table of Synonyms Name Year Rank Synonym of: Notes Hebe angustifolia 1927 species V. stenophylla ≡ hom., nom. superfl. Hebe parviflora var. angustifolia 1961 variety V. stenophylla ≡ hom. Hebe stenophylla 2000 species V. stenophylla ≡ hom. Hebe stenophylla var. hesperia 2000 variety var. hesperia ≡ hom. Hebe stenophylla var. oliveri 2000 variety var. oliveri ≡ hom. Veronica angustifolia 1832 species V. stenophylla ≡ hom., nom. illeg., homonym. post. Veronica angustifolia var. abbreviata 1921 variety V. stenophylla = het. Veronica parviflora var. angustifolia 1872 variety V. stenophylla ≡ hom. Veronica squalida 1895 species var. stenophylla = het. Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym; = heterotypic synonym
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