Veronica lycopodioides
Veronica lycopodioides, or whipchord hebe, is a species of hebe which is endemic to New Zealand.
Description
Veronica lycopodioides is a short, erect shrub with branches whose leaves grow close to the stem, causing the branches themselves to look scaly and green. The leaves are triangular, have a pointed tip, and may have hair on the margin which can be seen with a hand lens. White flowers, in groups of 6–16, burst from the tip of the terminal branches.The pointed tips of the leaves can be used in the field to distinguish this species from Veronica poppelwellii.
A subspecies, Veronica lycopodioides ''var. patula'', is smaller in most respects.
Distribution and habitat
Veronica lycopodioides grows on the South Island of New Zealand, typically to the east of the central spine of the Southern Alps. It grows on penalpine grassland, and in subalpine areas. It may grow on Stewart Island.It is not currently considered threatened.