Veronica barkeri
CR

Veronica barkeri

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA) — Species of flowering plant

Overview

Veronica barkeri, synonym Hebe barkeri, is a species of plant in the family Plantaginaceae. It is endemic to the Chatham Islands. It is threatened by habitat loss. It was featured as Critter of the Week by Radio New Zealand on 17 May 2019.

Veronica barkeri faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while invasive plant species compete for resources in its specialized habitat. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could disrupt the delicate moisture conditions this species requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

Veronica barkeri inhabits specialized rocky outcrops and cliff faces in montane environments, typically growing in crevices and ledges where moisture accumulates. The species requires well-drained soils with specific mineral compositions found only in its native geological formations.

Forest· majorMarine coastal/supratidal· majorShrubland· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionHabitat & natural process restorationSpecies recovery

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Veronica barkeri classified as Critically Endangered?
Veronica barkeri is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Veronica barkeri faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while invasive plant species compete for resources in its specialized habitat. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could disrupt the delicate moisture conditions this species requires.
Where does Veronica barkeri live?
Veronica barkeri occurs in New Zealand. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Veronica barkeri?
The main threats to Veronica barkeri are 1.1, 2.3, 8.1, and ai-1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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