Hebe saxicola (Plantaginaceae)—a new threatened species from western Northland, North Island, New Zealand

Abstract A new species, Hebe saxicola, is described from Maungaraho Rock, a prominent rock outcrop near Tokatoka, western Northland, North Island, New Zealand. This species was previously included in H. perbella from which it is distinguished by its ecology, smaller stature, shorter and wider leaves with dull rather than glossy upper leaf surfaces, less colourful flowers that open pale lavender or lilac soon fading to white, shorter corolla tube, broader lanceolate to ovate, subacute corolla lobes, mostly glabrous ovaries, and glabrous capsules. There is also some evidence that the flavonoid chemistry of H. saxicola is distinct from H. perbella. Hebe saxicola is probably most closely allied to H. adamsii, currently known only from Unuwhao Bush, Te Paki, c. 238 km north of Maungaraho Rock. Hebe saxicola is regarded as Threatened “Nationally Critical” using the New Zealand Threat Classification System. as H. saxicola is a segregate of H. perbella, a new circumscription for H. perbella and updated information on ecology, distribution, and conservation is provided.