This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Citation bot (talk | contribs) at 07:13, 3 April 2024 (Alter: date, pages, title. Add: volume, bibcode, authors 1-1. Removed parameters. Some additions/deletions were parameter name changes. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Headbomb | Category:CS1 errors: invisible characters | #UCB_Category 3/7). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 07:13, 3 April 2024 by Citation bot (talk | contribs) (Alter: date, pages, title. Add: volume, bibcode, authors 1-1. Removed parameters. Some additions/deletions were parameter name changes. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Headbomb | Category:CS1 errors: invisible characters | #UCB_Category 3/7)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)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
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 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
- "Veronica ciliolata subsp. fiordensis". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
- 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.
- Raven, Peter H. (December 1971). "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. Bibcode:1971NZJB....9..775R. doi:10.1080/0028825x.1971.10430240. ISSN 0028-825X.
- ^ "Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Launceston, Tasmania". Nature. 190 (4777): 677. May 1961. Bibcode:1961Natur.190T.677.. doi:10.1038/190677d0. ISSN 0028-0836.
- Rider, Toby C. (2017-04-20). "Sports Illustrated and the Melbourne Defection". University of Illinois Press. 1. doi:10.5406/illinois/9780252040238.003.0007.
- ^ "Veronica cililolata subsp. fiordensis - Threatened Species Link". www.threatenedspecieslink.tas.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- 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.
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Veronica ciliolata | |