Veronica scutellata

Perennials. Stems ascending, (5–)15–45(–80) cm, glabrous, sometimes sparsely eglandular-hairy distally. Leaves: petiole 0 mm; blade narrowly lanceolate or linear, rarely elliptic, (10–)30–50(–80) × (2–)3–7(–14) mm, 6–10 times as long as wide, base cuneate, margins remote- and fine-dentate, apex acute, abaxial surface glabrous, adaxial glabrous or sparsely eglandular-hairy. Racemes 1–5(–10), axillary, 40–90(–150) mm, (2–)5–20-flowered, axis glabrous, sometimes sparsely eglandular-hairy; bracts lanceolate, 1.5–3 mm. Pedicels patent or ± curled, (6–)10–15(–17) mm, longer than subtending bracts, glabrous. Flowers: calyx lobes (1–)2–3 mm, apex obtuse to acute, glabrate; corolla pale lilac, pale sky blue, or whitish, with pink or dark blue narrow stripes, 2.5–7 mm diam.; stamens 4–5 mm; style (1–)2–4 mm. Capsules compressed in cross section, ovoid or reniform, 2.5–5 × (3–)4–6 mm, apex emarginate by 1/3 length, glabrous. Seeds 5–20, pale brownish, globular or ovoid, flat, 1.2–1.9 × 1–1.5 mm, 0.2 mm thick, smooth. 2n = 18.

Phenology: Flowering May–Sep.
Habitat: Moist meadows, marshes, shallows, forests, steppes, fens, stream banks, lakeshores.
Elevation: 0–1800(–2400) m.

St. Pierre and Miquelon, Alta., B.C., Man., N.B., Nfld. and Labr., N.W.T., N.S., Nunavut, Ont., P.E.I., Que., Sask., Yukon, Alaska, Ariz., Calif., Colo., Conn., D.C., Idaho, Ill., Ind., Iowa, La., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Mont., Nev., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., N.Dak., Ohio, Oreg., Pa., R.I., Tenn., Vt., Va., Wash., W.Va., Wis., Wyo., Eurasia, Africa (Algeria), introduced in s South America (Argentina).

Discussion

Alpine dwarf forms of Veronica scutellata tend to have relatively broad leaves and may therefore be easily confused with other species.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa