Botanical art
Prior names
Derwentia derwentiana ssp. anisodonta
Common names
Kangaroo Island Speedwell
Derwent Speedwell
Etymology
Veronica name first given to some species of this genus by the Italian botanist Mattioli in 1554, probably in honor of Saint Veronica, a nun who died in Milan in 1497. Derwentiana mean of or from the Derwent River in south-eastern Tasmania, referring to where the species was first collected from. Anisodonta from the Greek 'anisos' meaning unequal and 'dontus' meaning toothed, referring to the irregularly toothed leaves.
Distribution and status
Endemic to South Australia and found only on Kangaroo Island, growing in moist gullies. Native. Very rare in South Australia.
Herbarium region: Kangaroo Island
NRM region: Kangaroo Island
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Erect perennial shrub to 2 m tall with many stems arising from the base. Leaves are green, lance-shaped with serrations along the edges and arranged in pairs. Flowers are pale mauve along a long flower spike. Flowering between October and January. Fruits are many pale brown capsules along a long spike, containing numerous small seeds. Seeds are small, ovoid, orange- brown to 2 mm long with a wrinkled surface. Seed embryo type is linear fully developed.
Seed collection and propagation
Collect seeds between January and March. Break off the fruit spikes when the capsules are turning brown with hard brown seeds inside. Look for capsules that are un-opened. Place the fruit spikes in a tray and leave to dry for 1 to 2 weeks. Then rub the capsules by hand or gently with a rubber bung to dislodge the seeds. Use a sieve to separate the unwanted material. Be careful as the seeds are small. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place. Seed viability is high usually high for this species. This species has morphophysiological dormancy that can be overcome to promote germination.
Fire response
Obligate re-spouter and re-seeder.
Longevity: ?? years
Time to flowering: ??? year
Recovery work
In 2020-2021 this species was assessed post-fire in 1 year and 2 year old fire scars. Further populations will be assessed and seeds collected on Kangaroo Island in 2021–2022. Germination screening testing the response to fire cues will be undertaken in 2021.This project was supported by the UK Bushfire Fund program.
Location | No. of seeds (weight grams) | Number of plants | Date collected | Collection number Collection location | Date stored | % Viability | Storage temperature |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BGA | 53,000 (8.39 g) | 19-Jan-2006 | TEE8 Kangaroo Island | 8-Aug-2006 | 95% | +5°C, -18°C | |
BGA | 1,500 (0.262 g) | 13 | 2-Mar-2022 | JRG860 Kangaroo Island | 7-Jul-2022 | 100% | -18°C |
BGA | 13,466 (3.205 g) | 23 | 20-Jan-2022 | D.A.Young (West Bay Rd) Kangaroo Island | 7-Jul-2022 | 90% | -18°C, -80°C |
BGA | 9,735 (2.026 g) | 30+ | 27-Mar-2023 | DJD4207 Kangaroo Island | 20-Jun-2023 | 95% | -18°C, -80°C |