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Revision as of 03:52, 3 April 2024 by Yam.Ing.Wa.Ng (talk | contribs) (content added)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Veronica ciliolata, commonly known as ben lomond cushionplant, is an endemic cushion plant species in Tasmania. It can be only found at Hamilton Crags on the Ben Lomond plateau in north east Tasmania.
Species of flowering plants
| 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 forms dense, compact cushions up to 40 to 50 cm in diameter, with small white flowers set amongst its light green foliage. The cushions are usually tightly compacted and rather rigid, 2 to 4 cm high. Its leaves are stiffly imbricate, 2.5 to 4 mm long by 1.5 to 2 mm wide, narrow-ovate to ovate-spathulate, subacute to acute, ciliate (hairy) more or less to their base, though often few and appressed near the tip except for a prominent apical tuft. The calyx is 3 to 4 mm long and divided two-thirds the way or more into 5 to 6 linear lobes, the lobes being hairy for most of their length on their outer surface as well as the margins. The corolla is white, 6 to 7 mm long, the tube longer than the calyx, with 5 obtuse lobes. Capsules are about 2 by 2 mm, glabrous or hairy at apex.
Habitat and distribution
Veronica ciliolata subsp. fiordensis is known from New Zealand and Tasmania. In Tasmania, the only known locality for this species is at Hamilton Crags on Ben Lomond (Figure 1). The total area of occupancy is 3 to 4 hectares, with an extent of occurrence of 0.18 km2 and a linear range of 800 m. Veronica ciliolata subsp. fiordensis occurs within low open alpine shrubland at altitudes of 1470– 1530 m above sea level. The species grows on skeletal soils derived from Jurassic dolerite, or in rock crevices and between boulders where no obvious soil exists.
Threats and conservation
Threats include inappropriate development of the Ben Lomond plateau, climate change and stochastic events.
Development proposals: Ben Lomond National Park is recognised as being an invaluable reserve for the conservation of alpine flora communities, but it is also the main focus of downhill skiing in Tasmania. The species grows on a rocky ridge 200 to 300 m east of a designated skifield development area zone. Expansions to the ski-field area at Ben Lomond and associated slope-grooming pose a potential threat to the species, albeit one unlikely to be realised given the prediction of less snow in future. The development of mountain bike trails at Hamilton Crags has been mooted, which if realised has the potential to have a local impact on the species.
Climate change: The trend towards a warmer climate may adversely affect Veronica ciliolata subsp. fiordensis, with the eventual contraction of its alpine habitat.
Stochastic events: The limited extent of Veronica ciliolata subsp. fiordensis makes the species particularly susceptible to losses from stochastic events such as drought and pathogens.
Cultivation and horticulture
Veronica ciliolata is cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes, valued for its delicate flowers and compact growth habit. It is suitable for rockeries, borders, and containers, preferring moist, well-drained soil and partial shade.
Cultivars and hybrids of Veronica ciliolata are available in the horticultural trade, offering a range of flower colours and growth habits for gardeners to choose from.
References
- "Veronica ciliolata subsp. fiordensis". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
- 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) - ^ "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) - Rider, Toby C. (2017-04-20). "Sports Illustrated and the Melbourne Defection". University of Illinois Press. doi:10.5406/illinois/9780252040238.003.0007.
- Smith, R. J.; Bryant, R. G. (1975-10-27). "Metal substitutions incarbonic anhydrase: a halide ion probe study". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 66 (4): 1281–1286. doi:10.1016/0006-291x(75)90498-2. ISSN 0006-291X. PMID 3.
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Veronica ciliolata | |