Veronica elliptica, synonym Hebe elliptica, is a plant of the family Plantaginaceae.[1] It is native to New Zealand (including the Antipodean Islands and the Chatham Islands), south Argentina, south Chile and the Falkland Islands.[1] It is an evergreen, bushy shrub of 1 m or more in height, with green, oval leaves, 2–4 cm long. Flowers are white to pale mauve.[citation needed]

Veronica elliptica
Te Miko, West Coast, New Zealand
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Veronica
Section: Veronica sect. Hebe
Species:
V. elliptica
Binomial name
Veronica elliptica
G.Forst.[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Hebe elliptica (G.Forst.) Pennell
  • Hebe magellanica J.F.Gmel.
  • Hebe menziesii (Benth.) Cockayne & Allan
  • Veronica decussata Moench
  • Veronica magellanica Juss. ex Dippel, not validly publ.
  • Veronica marginata Colenso
  • Veronica menziesii Benth.
  • Veronica simpsonii Phil.

Branches from plants of Veronica elliptica on Disappointment Island, Auckland Islands, New Zealand were used by the survivors of the shipwreck of the Dundonald to build a coracle and oars which they eventually used to successfully reach Auckland Island.[2]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d "Veronica elliptica G.Forst.", Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2022-10-09
  2. ^ Escott-Inman, Herbert (1911). The Castaways of Disappointment Island. London: S.W. Partridge & Co.