About Veronica odora Hook.fil.
Taxonomy and Common Name
Veronica odora Hook.fil. is an easily recognizable, round, spherical, evergreen shrub. Its Buxus-like foliage gave this plant the common name boxwood.
Growth Rate
Veronica odora grows slowly.
Size
It typically reaches around 1 m in height, but can grow to 1.5 m or even taller in suitable environments.
Leaf Shape and Arrangement
Its leaves are elliptic-ovate, growing in a compact, dense, upright arrangement; they measure 1–2 cm long and 4–10 mm wide.
Foliage Characteristics
The foliage is generally dark green and corticate.
Leaf Surface Coloration
The upper leaf surface is dark green, smooth, and shiny, while the lower surface is dull and pale.
Leaf Bud Features
There is a small gap at the base of leaf buds.
Young Branch and Leaf Bud Morphology
Young branches are usually green to yellowish green, and leaf buds are distinctly heart-shaped or shield-shaped.
Leaf Blade Structure
Leaf blades have noticeable bevelled edges; the midrib is prominent on the lower leaf surface, and the leaf base has a clear protrusion.
Inflorescence Arrangement
Inflorescences are most often terminal, with one or two pairs of lateral spikes; sometimes there is only a single spike, which may be terminal or lateral.
Peduncle Features
The peduncle is short and often hidden by leaves.
Flower Head Shape
This inflorescence growth habit means most Veronica odora develop conical flower heads.
Native Range
Veronica odora is a native plant of New Zealand, where it is widely distributed across the North Island, South Island, Stewart Island, and Auckland Island.
Altitudinal and Habitat Distribution
It is common in subalpine to low mountain areas south of Hikurangi Mountain, growing in humid environments at altitudes between 600 and 1400 meters, but is rare within forests.
Native Habitat Types
It typically occurs in subalpine shrubs and mixed snow grass, and sometimes extends into snow grass grassland.
Additional Natural Habitats
It can also be found growing on riverbanks, cliffs, and ridges.
Cultivation Occurrence
It is also present in urban environments, where some people grow it in home gardens due to its cold hardiness and ease of cultivation.
Cultivation Prevalence
Veronica odora is very common in cultivation.
Flowering Period and Color
It usually produces white flowers between October (mid spring) and March (early autumn).
Scent Characteristics
Despite its species epithet odora meaning fragrant, this species has no scent.
Fruiting Period
It fruits between December and April.
Propagation Methods
It has two methods of propagation.
Seed Propagation Dispersal and Storage
One is seed dispersal by wind, but its seeds are very fragile and cannot be stored for long periods.
Seed Sowing Timing
Autumn is the best time to sow Veronica odora.
Seed Germination Conditions
Seeds must be sited in a location not exposed to direct sunlight, and require an optimal germination temperature of 12 to 15 °C.
Seed Germination Timeline
When these conditions are met, seeds will generally germinate the following spring.
Cutting Propagation Method
The other propagation method is cutting. For this method, 10–12 cm long branches are transplanted into soft soil in spring.
Cutting Growth Encouragement
The growing tip can be removed to encourage bushier growth.
Cutting Temperature Requirements
A low temperature of 12–15 °C is ideal for cutting growth; higher temperatures can cause cuttings to rot or dry out.
Unsuitable Cutting Selection
Selection of appropriate cuttings is important: old wood, damaged branches, disease- or pest-damaged growth, and branches from plants with poor flowering or poor growth should not be used.
Suitable Cutting Source
Cuttings should be taken from actively growing branches, and should not include the growing bud under the stem.
Cutting Twig Quality
For successful rooting, cuttings should be taken from twigs that are not overly soft, as very soft twigs will wilt.
