Kingdom: Plantae
(Unranked): Angiosperms
(Unranked): Eudicots
(Unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Hebe
Species: H. elliptica
Binomial name: Hebe elliptica
Synonyms: Veronica elliptica, Veronica forsteri, Veronica decussate, Veronica decussate, Hebe magellanica, Veronica marginata, Hebe elliptica var. crassifolia.
Common names: Kokomuka, Shore hebe, Shore koromiko
Hebe elliptica is an extremely variable evergreen bushy shrub 2-3m high with short fleshy green, oval, 2–4 cm long and with light edges.he flowers are white to pale mauve, and relatively large. After flowering small dry brown capsules form, these containing many tiny seeds.
It is naturally occurring in coastal & mountain situations in the North, South, Stewart, Snares, Auckland and Campbell Islands of New Zealand. In the North Island it is known only from the west coast in scattered locations from New Plymouth southward, on Kapiti Island, and Titahi Bay. It is naturalised on Chatham (Rekohu) Island and it is indigenous to the Falkland Islands and Maatsuyker Island, Tasmania and southern South America.
It is widely cultivated.
Photographed at Otari Wilton Bush Reserve
The underside of a leaf.
