Veronica densifolia explained

Veronica densifolia, is a flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae. It is a low-growing, spreading plant with pink, white or purple flowers and grows in New South Wales.

Description

Veronica densifolia is a small, tufted, perennial, decussate, prostrate shrub about high and about wide. The leaves mostly crowded, elliptic-shaped, about long, wide, margins with fine hairs, sessile and a blunt apex. The corolla white, pink or purple, long, calyx long and the lobes resembling leaves. Flowering occurs in summer and the fruit is an egg-shaped capsule about long, about wide, margins hairy and notched at the apex.[1] [2]

Taxonomy and naming

This was first formally described in 1855 by Ferdinand von Mueller who gave it the name Paederota densifolia in Definitions of rare or hithertoo undescribed Australian plants.[3] [4] In 1861, von Mueller transferred the species to the genus Veronica as V. densifolia in his Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae.[5] [6] The specific epithet (densifolia) means "thick" and "crowded" in reference to the leaves.[7]

Distribution and habitat

This species grows on stony, windy outcrops and low scrubland in alpine areas of New South Wales.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Briggs . B.G . Veronica densifolia . PlantNET-NSW Flora online . Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney . 8 November 2024.
  2. Book: Bentham . George . Flora Australiensis . 1868 . L. Reeve & company . London . 505 . IV .
  3. Web site: Paederota densifolia . Australian Plant Name Index . 12 November 2024.
  4. Book: von Mueller . Ferdinand . Definitions of rare of hithertoo undescribed Australian plants . 1855 . Goodhugh & Trembath . Melbourne . 31 . 12 November 2024.
  5. Web site: Veronica densifolia . Australian Plant Name Index . 12 November 2024.
  6. Book: von Mueller . Ferdinand . Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae . 1861 . Victorian Government Printer . Melbourne . 137–138 . 12 November 2024.
  7. Book: George . A.S . Sharr . F.A . Western Australian Plant Names and their meanings . 2021 . Four Gables . Kardinya . 9780958034197 . 185 . 4th.