Veronica undulata

Annuals or perennials. Stems erect or prostrate basally, 10–100 cm, glabrous at least proximally, glandular-hairy distally. Leaves: petiole 0–5 mm; blade elliptic to ovate, sometimes ovate-oblong or linear-lanceolate, rarely lanceolate, 20–50(–100) × 5–20(–25) mm, 2.5–4 times as long as wide, base attenuate, upwards amplexicaul, margins subentire or crenate to serrate or ± undulate, apex acute to obtuse, surfaces glabrous. Racemes 6–25, axillary, 50–220 mm, 10–15 mm diam., 10–100-flowered, axis sparsely glandular-hairy, rarely glabrous; pedicels 2–6 per cm; bracts linear to lanceolate, 3–6 mm, apex acute. Pedicels patent, 3–5 mm, equal to subtending bract, sparsely glandular-hairy. Flowers: calyx lobes 1.5–2(–3) mm, apex acute, sparsely glandular-hairy, rarely glabrous; corolla pale blue or pale lilac, rarely white, 2.5–5 mm diam.; stamens 2 mm; style 0.9–2 mm. Capsules slightly compressed in cross section, obcordiform to globular, 2–3 × 2–3 mm, apex rounded or ± emarginate, sparsely glandular-hairy. Seeds 30–40, ochre, broadly ellipsoid, ± flat, convex on both sides, 0.5–0.6 × 0.4–0.5 mm, thickness and texture unknown. 2n = 54 (Asia).

Phenology: Flowering (Mar–)Apr–Sep.
Habitat: Disturbed, wet places, ditches, or swamps.
Elevation: 0–200 m.

Introduced; Ala., Oreg., Wash., Asia.

Discussion

In the flora area, Veronica undulata was introduced near ports (Mobile, Alabama, and Portland, Oregon) before 1900 via ship ballast from trade with Asia, did not spread much, and may not have persisted.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa