Cypress hebe Veronica cupressoides

Key Features

• Previously known as Hebe cupressoides.
• A rounded, greyish-green, bushy shrub to 1.5 m tall, with densely-branching, slim, erect branches bearing scale leaves that are widely spaced along the branchlets.
• Scale leaves have a turpentine smell when crushed.
• Small, white or light purple flowers occur in clusters at the tips of branchlets.
• Seedlings have toothed leaves that are larger than the scale leaves of adults.

Distribution and Habitat

• South Island, east of the Main Divide from Lewis Pass to Otago.
• Veronica cupressoides occurs in montane shrublands in a variety of habitats including those that have been recently disturbed by flooding or slips as well as more stable habitats such as rock outcrops, bouldery moraines and terraces.

Threats

• Habitat modification and loss.
• Fire.
• Recruitment failure due to competition with weeds and grasses, and browse by stock, rabbits and hares.

Management Opportunities

• Survey for new locations.
• Mark known sites.
• Protection of habitat – avoid afforestation of known sites.
• Collect seed for propagation and re-establishment at appropriate sites.
• Ensure that forest owners are aware of potential habitats and can recognise the species.

Monitoring Options

• Check existing populations annually.
• Report new locations to DOC, NZPCN.

Further Information and Support

• New Zealand Plant Conservation Network (NZPCN). http://www.nzpcn.org.nz
• Pest control - Department of Conservation, Regional Councils.
• References:
  • Dopson et al. (1999). The conservation requirements of New Zealand’s nationally threatened vascular plants. Threatened Species Occasional Publication 13. Department of Conservation, Wellington.
  • Poole & Adams (1994). Trees and shrubs of New Zealand. Maanaki Whenua Press, Lincoln.
  • Wilson & Galloway (1993). Small-leaved shrubs of New Zealand. Manuka Press, Christchurch.
  • Wilson & Given (1989). Threatened plants of New Zealand. DSIR Publishing, Wellington.
  • Peter de Lange, Peter Heenan, David Norton, Jeremy Rolfe and John Sawyer (2010). Threatened Plants of New Zealand. Canterbury University Press, Christchurch. 472 pp.