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Veronica ciliolata, commonly known as ben lomond cushionplant or snow hebe. It is a cushion-forming speceis found exclusively in high-elevation habitats of Australia and the South Island of New Zealand.

Name history: Chionohebe ciliolata, Pygmea ciliolata

Veronica ciliolata subsp. fiordensis (Ashwin) Meudt
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (EPBC Act)https://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/18142-listing-advice.pdf
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Plantaginaceae
Genus:	Veronica
Species:	V. ciliolata
Binomial name
Veronica ciliolata (Hook.f.) Cheeseman
Subspecies
fiordensis

Description

Veronica ciliolata subsp. fiordensis creates dense, compact clusters reaching 40 to 50 cm in width, adorned with petite white blossoms nestled among its pale green leaves. These clusters typically exhibit a tight, firm structure, standing 2 to 4 cm tall. Its leaves, which measure 2.5 to 4 mm in length and 1.5 to 2 mm in width, are arranged closely together, with a narrow-ovate to ovate-spathulate shape, and pointed tips. They are lined with fine hairs, particularly toward the base, although they may appear sparser near the tip except for a noticeable bunch at the apex. The calyx extends 3 to 4 mm and splits about two-thirds of the way down into 5 to 6 slender lobes, both the lobes and their edges are covered in hairs. The corolla, white in color, spans 6 to 7 mm with a tube longer than the calyx, and it sports 5 blunt lobes. Capsules are approximately 2 by 2 mm and can be smooth or hairy at the top.

Habitat and distribution

Veronica ciliolata subsp. fiordensis is found in both New Zealand and Tasmania. In Tasmania, it is specifically known to inhabit Hamilton Crags on Ben Lomond (refer to Figure 1). Its total habitat area covers 3 to 4 hectares, with an extent of occurrence spanning 0.18 km2 and a linear range of 800 meters. Veronica ciliolata subsp. fiordensis thrives in low, open alpine shrublands situated at altitudes ranging from 1470 to 1530 meters above sea level. This species typically grows in skeletal soils formed from Jurassic dolerite, as well as in rock crevices and between boulders where traditional soil is absent.

Threats and conservation

Threats to Veronica ciliolata subsp. fiordensis encompass inappropriate development on the Ben Lomond plateau, climate change, and stochastic events.

Development proposals: Ben Lomond National Park holds significant importance as a vital sanctuary for preserving alpine flora communities; however, it also serves as the primary hub for downhill skiing activities in Tasmania. The species is situated on a rocky ridge located 200 to 300 meters east of a designated zone earmarked for ski field development. While there is a potential threat posed by expansions to the ski area and the accompanying slope maintenance, this risk is deemed improbable given projections of reduced snowfall in the future. Additionally, there have been discussions regarding the possibility of constructing mountain bike trails at Hamilton Crags, which, if materialized, could potentially impact the species at a local level.

Climate change: The shift toward a warmer climate could have negative impacts for Veronica ciliolata subsp. fiordensis, potentially leading to the eventual reduction of its alpine habitat.

Stochastic events: The restricted range of Veronica ciliolata subsp. fiordensis renders the species especially vulnerable to declines resulting from unpredictable events like droughts and outbreaks of pathogens.

Management strategy

The primary aim of Veronica ciliolata subsp. fiordensis recovery efforts is to prevent any decrease in the known population.

• The regions where Veronica ciliolata subsp. fiordensis is known to thrive have been incorporated into the 'natural zone' overseen by the Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service (PWS). According to PWS guidelines, infrastructure within the 'natural zone' above 1240 meters elevation is restricted to signage, designated walking paths, or cross-country skiing routes.

• Surveys focusing on Veronica ciliolata subsp. fiordensis were carried out in December 2005 and January 2016, during which several monitoring transects were established in the latter period.

• Seeds have been gathered for preservation in long-term storage at the Tasmanian Seed Conservation Centre, situated within the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens in Hobart

References

1. "Veronica ciliolata subsp. fiordensis". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
2. Meudt, Heidi M. (2008). "Taxonomic revision of Australasian snow hebes (Veronica, Plantaginaceae)". Australian Systematic Botany. 21 (6): 387. doi:10.1071/sb08034. ISSN 1030-1887.
3. Raven, Peter H. (1971-12). "Flora of New Zealand Volume II, by L. B. Moore and E. Edgar. Government Printer, Wellington, 1970. xl + 354 p. Price (N.Z.) $4.50". New Zealand Journal of Botany. 9 (4): 775–777. doi:10.1080/0028825x.1971.10430240. ISSN 0028-825X. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
4. ^ "Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Launceston, Tasmania". Nature. 190 (4777): 677–677. 1961-05. doi:10.1038/190677d0. ISSN 0028-0836. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
5. Rider, Toby C. (2017-04-20). "Sports Illustrated and the Melbourne Defection". University of Illinois Press. doi:10.5406/illinois/9780252040238.003.0007.
6. ^ "Veronica cililolata subsp. fiordensis - Threatened Species Link". www.threatenedspecieslink.tas.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
7. Wood, Kris C.; VanHook, Annalisa M. (2014-12-23). "Science Signaling Podcast: 23 December 2014". Science Signaling. 7 (357). doi:10.1126/scisignal.aaa4213. ISSN 1945-0877. {{cite journal}}: line feed character in |title= at position 25 (help)

• EPBC Act vulnerable biota
• Veronica (plant)
• Endemic flora of New Zealand
• Plants described in 1906
• IUCN Red List vulnerable species