An illustrated guide to New Zealand hebes / M. J. Bayly and A. V. Kellow ; with introductory chapters by Peter J. de Lange, Phil J. Garnock-Jones and Kenneth R. Markham ; photography by W.M. Malcolm.

"Main aim ... is to provide a tool for the identification of species, subspecies and varieties of Hebe and Leonohebe and to serve as a reference on the known variation, distribution and classification of these groups"--P. xii.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 368-379) and index.

Pt. A. General chapters. Introduction. Classification and evolution (Taxonomic history at species, subspecies and variety level ; History of generic and infrageneric classifications ; Relationships of the hebe complex inferred from DNA sequences ; Defining the limits of hebe and veronica ; Constructing an infrageneric classification for hebe). Distribution, habitats and biogeographic history (Distribution and habitats of hebe and leonohebe ; Patterns of species richness ; Patterns of endemism ; Biographic history of hebe and leonohebe). Morphology / P.J. Garnock-Jones (Vegetative morphology ; Reproductive morphology ; Developmental morphology). Flavonoid biochemistry / K.R. Markham (Introduction to the flavonoids ; Flavonoids in hebe and leonohebe ; Screening for flavonoids ; Taxonomic application of flavonoid characters). Chromosomes. Reproductive biology / P.J. Garnock-Jones (Flower biology ; Flower visitors and pollinators ; Gender ; Fruit and seed biology). Conservation / P.J. de Lange (Conservation status ; Conservation management). Cultivation -- Pt. B. Identification and description of species. Materials and methods (Scope of survey ; Concepts of species and infraspecific taxa ; Morphological descriptions ; Arrangement of species ; Treatment of hybrids ; Distribution maps ; Flowering times ; Photography and imaging). Taxonomic treatment (Synopsis ; Implicit character states ; Other notes on descriptions). Hebe (Flagriformes (the whipcords) ; Connatae ; Subcarnosae ; Occlusae ; Buxifoliatae ; Small-leaved apertae ; Large-leaved apertae ; Grandiflorae ; Pauciflorae). Leonohebe (Sect. leonohebe (the semiwhipcords) ; Sect. aromaticae (leonohebe cupressoides). Nomenclature (Names of genera ; Names of subgenera ; Names of sections ; Names of series ; Subsectional names without a clear indication of rank ; Names of species and infraspecific taxa in hebe ; Names of species in leonohebe ; Incertae sedis ; Names of possible wild hybrids ; Names of horticultural forms ; Excluded names). Common and Māori names (English common names ; Māori names ; Names from French Polynesia -- Pt. C. Indices. Appendices (Appendix 1 : Informal names used by Druce (1980,1993) and Eagle (1982) ; Appendix 2 : Variation in Hebe hectorii ; Appendix 3 : Variation in Hebe lycopodioides ; Appendix 4 : Examples of leaf outlines for selected species ; Appendix 5 : Details of voucher specimens for photographs and illustrations).

An indispensable guide to hebes, one of New Zealand's best known native plants. This book is a comprehensive guide to the identification, classification and biology of hebes. Each species is described in detail, with distribution maps, a page of full-colour photographs and information on recognition, variation, flowering time, chromosome number, botanics nomenclature and etymology. Lists of common and Maori names are included.

Montana New Zealand Book Awards 2007 Finalist.