survives the northern south island cold

Size
Height: 0.5–1 m, Spread: 0.5–1 m, neat rounded shrub
Lifespan
10–20 years
Diet
Photosynthetic. Draws energy from sunlight. Obtains nutrients from well-drained soils in alpine environments.
Habitat
Montane and subalpine grasslands, rocky slopes and open areas. Prefers well-drained soils with full sun. Tolerates cold, wind, frost and snow.
Range
South Island Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury. Most common in montane and subalpine areas. Restricted to northern South Island. Endemic to New Zealand.
Endemism
Endemic
Main Threats
Climate change affecting alpine habitats is primary threat. Browsing by introduced mammals. No significant pest or disease issues. Protection of alpine habitats important.
Population
Populations considered stable but localised. Species common in montane areas of northern South Island. Threatened by climate change and browsing.
Conservation Status
Not Threatened
Human Risk
harmless
Handling Note
native shrub, safe to handle
Conservation Note
Endemic shrub; widespread in alpine and subalpine habitats in the South Island.
Assessment
NZTCS Vascular Plants (2023)
Te Ao Māori
In Māori tradition, this hebe was known in alpine regions of northern South Island. Flowers admired. Plant used medicinally. Hard, durable wood used for small tools. Plant of high mountains. Gathered by those who climbed peaks. Resource from alpine zone. Beautiful shrub in cold. Hard wood for small tool.
Climb the mountains of northern South Island. You will find Veronica venustula. Mountains are not gentle. This hebe does not need them to be. Neat, rounded shrub with small, glossy, yellow-green leaves. Graceful, arching branches. Leaves are oval-shaped. Up to 2 centimetres long. Smooth, shiny surface. Arranged in opposite pairs along stems. Characteristic of genus. Stems are slender and arching. Giving shrub graceful, open shape. Plant that looks delicate. It is not. Plant produces masses of small, white flowers in summer. Flowers are small but numerous. Covering shrub in white blanket. Attractive to native bees and other alpine insects. Followed by small capsules containing seeds. Brief bloom. Hard life. Hebe venustula is hardy, alpine hebe. Tolerates cold, wind and frost. Grows in montane and subalpine grasslands, rocky slopes, and open areas. Often in exposed sites. Neat, rounded shape helps plant shed snow. Preventing damage. Design that raises questions. Answers are in snow. Name venustula means beautiful or charming. Reference to plant's graceful appearance. Species restricted to northern South Island. Found only in Nelson, Marlborough, and Canterbury. Local. Specialist. To find Hebe venustula is to climb mountains of northern South Island. Look for neat, rounded shrub with yellow-green leaves and graceful, arching branches. Plant of high places. Hebe of alpine zone. Beautiful shrub in cold. Wind bends branches. Snow weighs them down. Hebe does not break. It just waits for summer. Then it blooms. Then snow comes again. Then it waits. It carries on regardless.