Veronica beccabunga subsp. beccabunga

Perennials. Stems decumbent to ascending proximally, creeping distally, 10–60 cm, glabrous. Leaves: petiole 2–4(–8) mm; blade broadly oblong, ovate, or subelliptic, widest near or distal to middle, (10–)15–35(–65) × (6–)8–20(–33) mm, 1.5–2 times as long as wide, base rounded-truncate to cuneate, margins denticulate, subserrulate, or subentire, rarely crenulate, apex obtuse-rounded, shining, surfaces glabrous. Racemes 2–6(–12), axillary, 30–50 mm, (5–)10–15(–22)-flowered, axis glabrous; bracts lanceolate, 3–6 mm. Pedicels subpatent, arcuate-erect, or suberect, (2.5–)3–7(–10) mm, equal to subtending bract, glabrous. Flowers: calyx lobes 2–2.5 mm, apex acute, glabrous; corolla deep or bright, rarely pale, blue with white center, 5–6 mm diam.; stamens 1.4–2.8 mm; style (1.3–)1.5–3(–3.5) mm. Capsules slightly compressed in cross section, broadly ellipsoid or globular, 2.5–4(–5.5) × 3–4(–4.5) mm, apex not or ± emarginate, glabrous. Seeds 38–70(–110), brown, broadly ellipsoid, flat, 0.4–0.6 × 0.3–0.5 mm, 0.2–0.3 mm thick, smooth. 2n = 18, 36.

Phenology: Flowering May–Sep(–Oct).
Habitat: Streams, marshes, ditches, wet meadows, running water, disturbed sites.
Elevation: 0–2300 m.

Distribution

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Introduced; B.C., Ont., Que., Calif., Conn., Ill., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Mo., Nev., N.J., N.Y., Ohio, Pa., Va., W.Va., Wis., Eurasia, Africa, introduced in s South America (Argentina, Chile).

Discussion

For the flora area, Veronica beccabunga was first recorded in 1876 (New York, D. H. Les and R. L. Stuckey 1985); it seems to have been introduced multiple times independently.

Selected References

Les, D. H. and R. L. Stuckey. 1985. The introduction and spread of Veronica beccabunga (Scrophulariaceae) in eastern North America. Rhodora 87: 503–515.

Lower Taxa

None.