A taxonomic revision of Parahebe (Plantaginaceae) in New Zealand

Seventeen species of Parahebe are recognised for New Zealand, an increase of six from the most recent Flora treatment. The new species result from division of P. catarractae sens. lat. into P. catarractae (now confined to Fiordland), P. martinii (Marlborough), and P. lanceolata (North Island and North-West Nelson); two new species (P. senex in North-West Nelson and P. spectabilis in the Takitimu Range); and acceptance of P. brevistylis and P. laxa at species rank. We also describe two subspecies in P. cheesemanii: subsp. cheesemanii from Nelson and subsp. flabellata from Arthur's Pass. Species limits are discussed in terms of morphological and flavonoid evidence, and some limited data on natural and artificial hybrids are also presented. Problems of the generic limits in the Veroniceae are discussed in relation to Parahebe. Parahebe appears to be paraphyletic and future changes in nomenclature are likely. This treatment covers the New Zealand plants treated as Parahebe in recent Floras.