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Hebe (plant)
Encyclopedia
Hebe is a genus
of plants native to New Zealand
, Rapa in French Polynesia
, the Falkland Islands
, and South America
. It includes about 90 species and is the largest plant genus in New Zealand. Apart from H. rapensis (endemic
to Rapa), all species occur in New Zealand. This includes the two species, H. salicifolia and H. elliptica, that have distributions extending to South America. The genus is named after the Greek goddess
of youth, Hebe
. There are differing classifications for the genus and some botanists include Hebe, together with the related Australasian genera Chionohebe, Derwentia
, Detzneria, Parahebe, Heliohebe and Leonohebe, in the larger genus Veronica
.
Hebe has four perpendicular rows of leaves
in opposite decussate pairs. The flower
s are perfect, the corolla usually has four slightly unequal lobes, the flower has two stamen
s and a long style. Flowers are arranged in a spiked
inflorescence
. Identification of Hebe species is difficult, especially if they are not in flower. The plants range in size from dwarf shrubs to small trees up to 7 metres, and are distributed from coast
al to alpine
ecosystems. Large-leaved species are normally found on the coast, in lowland scrub and along forest margins. At higher altitudes smaller-leaved species grow, and in alpine areas there are whipcord species with leaves reduced to thick scales.
Hebes are grown in many gardens and public areas; they attract butterflies
. Hebes cope with most soil types, and can be propagated
easily from both seed
and cuttings. Wild Hebe hybrids are uncommon; however, there are many cultivated hybrids, such as Hebe × franciscana.
The Hebe Society
, formed in 1985 under the auspices of the Royal Horticultural Society
, promotes the cultivation and conservation of hebes and other New Zealand native plants
.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of plants native to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Rapa in French Polynesia
French Polynesia
French Polynesia is an overseas country of the French Republic . It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory...
, the Falkland Islands
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about from the coast of mainland South America. The archipelago consists of East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 lesser islands. The capital, Stanley, is on East Falkland...
, and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. It includes about 90 species and is the largest plant genus in New Zealand. Apart from H. rapensis (endemic
Endemic (ecology)
Endemism is the ecological state of being unique to a defined geographic location, such as an island, nation or other defined zone, or habitat type; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsewhere. For example, all species of lemur are endemic to the...
to Rapa), all species occur in New Zealand. This includes the two species, H. salicifolia and H. elliptica, that have distributions extending to South America. The genus is named after the Greek goddess
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
of youth, Hebe
Hebe (mythology)
In Greek mythology, Hēbē is the goddess of youth . She is the daughter of Zeus and Hera. Hebe was the cupbearer for the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus, serving their nectar and ambrosia, until she was married to Heracles ; her successor was the young Trojan prince Ganymede...
. There are differing classifications for the genus and some botanists include Hebe, together with the related Australasian genera Chionohebe, Derwentia
Derwentia (plant)
Derwentia is a genus of flowering plants that is endemic to Australia.The genus was formerly included in the family Scrophulariaceae, but is currently included in Plantaginaceae.All species are currently placed in the genus Veronica as follows:...
, Detzneria, Parahebe, Heliohebe and Leonohebe, in the larger genus Veronica
Veronica (plant)
Veronica is the largest genus in the flowering plant family Plantaginaceae, with about 500 species; it was formerly classified in the family Scrophulariaceae...
.
Hebe has four perpendicular rows of leaves
Leaf
A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....
in opposite decussate pairs. The flower
Flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs...
s are perfect, the corolla usually has four slightly unequal lobes, the flower has two stamen
Stamen
The stamen is the pollen producing reproductive organ of a flower...
s and a long style. Flowers are arranged in a spiked
Raceme
A raceme is a type of inflorescence that is unbranched and indeterminate and bears pedicellate flowers — flowers having short floral stalks called pedicels — along the axis. In botany, axis means a shoot, in this case one bearing the flowers. In a raceme, the oldest flowers are borne...
inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
. Identification of Hebe species is difficult, especially if they are not in flower. The plants range in size from dwarf shrubs to small trees up to 7 metres, and are distributed from coast
Coast
A coastline or seashore is the area where land meets the sea or ocean. A precise line that can be called a coastline cannot be determined due to the dynamic nature of tides. The term "coastal zone" can be used instead, which is a spatial zone where interaction of the sea and land processes occurs...
al to alpine
Alpine climate
Alpine climate is the average weather for a region above the tree line. This climate is also referred to as mountain climate or highland climate....
ecosystems. Large-leaved species are normally found on the coast, in lowland scrub and along forest margins. At higher altitudes smaller-leaved species grow, and in alpine areas there are whipcord species with leaves reduced to thick scales.
Hebes are grown in many gardens and public areas; they attract butterflies
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
. Hebes cope with most soil types, and can be propagated
Plant propagation
Plant propagation is the process of creating new plants from a variety of sources: seeds, cuttings, bulbs and other plant parts. Plant propagation can also refer to the artificial or natural dispersal of plants.-Sexual propagation :...
easily from both seed
Seed
A seed is a small embryonic plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat, usually with some stored food. It is the product of the ripened ovule of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants which occurs after fertilization and some growth within the mother plant...
and cuttings. Wild Hebe hybrids are uncommon; however, there are many cultivated hybrids, such as Hebe × franciscana.
The Hebe Society
Hebe Society
The Hebe Society promotes the cultivation and conservation of hebes and other New Zealand native plants.It was formed in 1985 by a group of enthusiastic gardeners and nurserymen, under the auspices of the Royal Horticultural Society. The role of the Society is to stimulate an interest in hebes and...
, formed in 1985 under the auspices of the Royal Horticultural Society
Royal Horticultural Society
The Royal Horticultural Society was founded in 1804 in London, England as the Horticultural Society of London, and gained its present name in a Royal Charter granted in 1861 by Prince Albert...
, promotes the cultivation and conservation of hebes and other New Zealand native plants
Flora of New Zealand
This article relates to the flora of New Zealand, especially indigenous strains. New Zealand's geographical isolation has meant the country has developed a unique variety of native flora...
.
Species
About 90-100 species, including:
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Hebe elliptica Hebe elliptica is a plant of the family Plantaginaceae, which is endemic to New Zealand, Aisen and Magallanes in Chile, Tierra del Fuego, and the Falkland Islands. It is an evergreen, bushy shrub of 1 m or more in height, with green, oval leaves, 2–4 cm long. Flowers are white to pale... Hebe epacridea Hebe epacridea is a plant of the family Plantaginaceae, which is endemic to altitudes above 3,000 feet from the Marlborough Region to Otago Region on the South Island of New Zealand. It is a low-growing, evergreen shrub, reaching 10 cm in height, with thick, closely placed, recurved green leaves... Hebe hulkeana Hebe hulkeana is a species of plant in the Plantaginaceae. Its pale mauve flowers are on long sprays, which develop from the tips of the branches. The dainty flowers, which occur in profusion, last from October until December. The foliage is dark green and shiny. The leaves are elliptic to obtuse... Hebe ochracea Hebe ochracea is an ornamental plant of the family Plantaginaceae, which is endemic to New Zealand. Hardy to USDA climate zones 7-8 at least, protect aerial plant parts from severe frosts like any other Hebe.... Hebe odora Hebe odora is a plant of the family Plantaginaceae, which is endemic to North Island, South Island, Stewart Island, and Auckland Island of New Zealand. It is upright, rounded, evergreen shrub, reaching 1 m in height, with glossy green, spear-shaped leaves that are 1.5 cm long. Flowers are... Hebe pimeleoides Hebe pimeleoides is a plant of the family Plantaginaceae, which is endemic to the dry mountains of Marlborough and Canterbury, in South Island of New Zealand. It is low-growing, evergreen shrub, reaching 60 cm in height, with gray-green, spear-shaped leaves that are 7-10 mm long. Flowers are pale... |
Hebe recurva Hebe recurva is a plant of the family Plantaginaceae, which is endemic to the north-west area of Nelson on the South Island of New Zealand. It is evergreen shrub, reaching 60 cm in height, with gray, spear-shaped leaves that are 2-4 cm long. Flowers are white.-References:* *... Hebe salicifolia Hebe salicifolia is a plant of the family Plantaginaceae, which is found throughout the South Island of New Zealand and in Chile. It is large, evergreen shrub, reaching 2 m in height, with light green, spear-shaped leaves that are up to 12 cm long. Flowers are white or pale lilac.-Synonyms:* Hebe... Hebe speciosa Hebe speciosa is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family known by the common names New Zealand hebe, showy hebe, and showy-speedwell. It is native to New Zealand but it can be found in other parts of the world where it is grown as an ornamental for its showy flowers. This hebe is a... Hebe stricta The Koromiko is a plant of the family Plantaginaceae, which is endemic to New Zealand.-Varieties:There are two varieties of this species:* Hebe stricta var. atkinsonii* Hebe stricta var. macroura- Synonyms :... Hebe traversii Hebe traversii is an ornamental plant of the family Plantaginaceae native to New Zealand.... |