Flora of New Zealand Series

Veronica compacta Col. in T.N.Z.I. 20, 1888, 202.

Stems sparsely and ± uniformly pubescent. Laminae oval to ovate-oblong or broad-ovate in outline, us. broadly obtuse at apex, rather deeply and bluntly (sts subacutely) crenate, ciliate and sparsely hairy on both surfaces (especially towards tip above) with flattened, jointed, mostly glandular hairs. Peduncle and all parts of infl. densely glandular-hairy. Capsule sts very large, ± 6 × 5·5 mm., with acute to apiculate valves not incurved at apex.

DIST.: N. Mountains of Volcanic Plateau.

Apparently uniform throughout its range and distinct from forms of other areas in the glandular-hairy lvs. In the original description of V. nivea Hook. f. the lvs were described as glab., but the accompanying figure and the type at K show the upper lvs distinctly marginally ciliate. The fls of the type specimen were described as pure white, but in this var. they are predominantly lavender. The type of Colenso's V. compacta, from "Mount Ngaruahoe, Tongariro Range, 'altitude 5,000 feet' . . . 1887: Mr H. Hill", is W 5343.