Flora of New Zealand Series

Veronica decumbens J. B. Armst. in N.Z. Ctry J. 3, 1879, 57.

Type: CM, "Rutherford Bridge, Waiau, Nelson, Dec. 1869, J. B. A." in Herb. Armstrong.

Small shrub, branches us. spreading and decumbent. Branchlets rather slender, bifariously pubescent, dark-coloured, length of internodes 2-8 × diam. Lvs spreading, 12-20 × 5-10 mm., elliptic to broad-elliptic, slightly concave, ± red-edged, almost fleshy when fresh; lf-bud without sinus, the lvs narrowed gradually to base; lamina subacute, entire, glab. except for microscopic pubescence on margin, midrib obscure. Infls lateral, simple, 1·5-2∙5 cm. long, peduncle pubescent and < lvs. Bracts and pedicels < 1 mm. long. Calyx-lobes c. 1·5 mm. long, ciliolate. Corolla white, tube narrow, 3·5-4 mm. long, > rounded spreading lobes. Capsule erect, 4-5 × 3 mm., pointed, glab.

DIST.: S. Mountains of Marlborough and adjacent parts of Nelson and Canterbury. Rocky places.

FL. 11-2. Original record: "From the Waiau, J. B. Armstrong".

Specimens of H. pinguifolia sts approach H. decumbens in size and shape of lvs but they can always be distinguished by quite sessile fls and bracts = calyx-lobes and c. 3 mm. long.

An Aston collection from Dee Valley, Clarence River, differs in bevelled almost glab. lf-margin and in us. wholly pubescent branchlets.