Veronica verna

Annuals. Stems erect or ascending, (1–)3–15(–20) cm, at least distally glandular- and eglandular-hairy. Leaves: blade lanceolate to ovate, (4–)6–13 × (2.5–)4–10 mm, 1.3–1.6 times as long as wide, base cuneate, proximal margins coarsely crenate-serrate, distal pinnatifid to subpalmatifid, lobes 3–7, central largest, lateral linear to lanceolate, apex of central lobe obtuse, lateral ± acute, surfaces sparsely glandular-hairy. Racemes 1–3, terminal and axillary, 20–80 mm, (5–)15–40(–60)-flowered, axis eglandular- and glandular-hairy; bracts proximalmost often 3-fid, others linear-lanceolate, 3–5(–8) mm. Pedicels erect, (0.4–)1–3 mm, shorter than subtending bract, length 1/3–1/2 times calyx, eglandular- and glandular-hairy. Flowers: calyx lobes (2–)3–5(–7) mm, apex acute, eglandular- and glandular-hairy; corolla sky to pale blue, 1.5–3 mm diam.; stamens 0.2–0.6 mm; style 0.2–0.6 mm, stigma white. Capsules compressed in cross section, obcordiform, 2.5–3.5 × 3.5–5 mm, apex emarginate, eglandular-hairy. Seeds 8–20(–26), yellowish, ellipsoid, flat, 0.9–1.6 × 0.6–1.3 mm, 0.2 mm thick, smooth to ± rugulose. 2n = 16 (Eurasia).

Phenology: Flowering (Mar–)Apr–Jun(–Aug).
Habitat: Open pine and oak forests, rocky and sandy steppes, pastures, meadows.
Elevation: 300–2600 m.

Introduced; B.C., N.B., N.S., Ont., P.E.I., Idaho, Ind., Mass., Mich., Minn., Mont., N.Y., Oreg., Wash., Wis., Wyo., Eurasia.

Discussion

Specimens of Veronica verna from Alberta have not been verified.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa