Veronica salicifolia

Veronica salicifolia, synonym Hebe salicifolia, the koromiko, or willow-leaf hebe, is a flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae, which is found throughout the South Island of New Zealand and in Chile. It is a large, evergreen shrub, reaching two metres in height, with light-green, spear-shaped leaves that are up to twelve centimetres (4.7 in) long, and white or pale lilac flowers.

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The overall form of V. salicifolia can be described as "willow-like" due to its drooping appearance, hence the name New Zealand willow. Unlike most Hebes that contain erect seeding structures, it has downward hanging capsules that disperse via gravity. V. salicifolia is one of the larger hebe species, its woody structure allowing it to grow to around one to five meters tall and it can have quite a wide spread foliage. Its narrow, oblong shaped leaves are oppositely arranged and are a dark to yellowish green colour, they also have hairs situated on the mid rib of the leaf. H. salicifolia is perennial and flowers in Summer and Autumn, producing multiple white and/or violet flowers can be found clustered together on stems that grow up to 24 centimetres (9.4 in) long. It is also one of the few Hebes that have a pleasantly strong scent. They also produce a generous amount of nectar in comparison to other Hebes. Some of the less obvious structures that help distinguish it from other Hebes are its distinctive leaf buds, large nodules and shape and colour of its reproductive structures. For example, the stamens are considered to be short and the anthers are violet in colour.