Veronica persica
in J. Lamarck et al., Encycl. 8: 542. 1808.
Annuals. Stems creeping to decumbent, 10–50(–60) cm, eglandular-hairy. Leaves: blade suborbiculate, broadly ovate, or broadly lanceolate, (6–)9–18(–30) × (5–)8–15(–20) mm, base truncate, margins serrate, apex acute, surfaces sparsely eglandular-hairy. Racemes 1–6, terminal, 100–500(–600) mm, 5–30-flowered, axis eglandular-hairy; bracts suborbiculate or broadly ovate or broadly lanceolate, (6–)9–18(–25) mm. Pedicels spreading, deflexed in fruit, (12–)15–27(–38) mm, length 1–2(–3) times subtending bract, densely eglandular-hairy. Flowers: calyx lobes (4.5–)5.5–8(–9.5) mm, (1.7–)2.4–3.6(–4.2) mm wide, apex acuminate, eglandular-hairy; corolla intense bright blue, 8–14 mm diam.; stamens 1.2 mm; style (1.5–)2–2.8(–3.2) mm. Capsules compressed in cross section, broadly obcordiform, 4–6 × (5–)6–8.5(–9.5) mm, apex acute, sinus angle (80–)90–120(–150)°, reticulate with prominent veins, ± sparsely to densely eglandular- and/or glandular-hairy or glabrate. Seeds (10–)12–18(–20), pale brownish yellow, ellipsoid to globular, cymbiform, (1.3–)1.4–2.3(–2.5) × (0.8–)0.9–1.6(–1.9) mm, 0.5–1 mm thick, cristate-rugose. 2n = 28.
Phenology: Flowering (Jan–)Apr–Jul(–Dec).
Habitat: Roadsides, lawns, fields, waste places.
Elevation: 0–500(–2000) m.
Distribution
Introduced; Alta., B.C., Man., N.B., Nfld. and Labr. (Nfld.), N.W.T., N.S., Ont., P.E.I., Que., Sask., Ala., Alaska, Ariz., Ark., Calif., Colo., Conn., Del., D.C., Fla., Ga., Idaho, Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., Mont., Nebr., Nev., N.H., N.J., N.Mex., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Okla., Oreg., Pa., R.I., S.C., S.Dak., Tenn., Tex., Utah, Vt., Va., Wash., W.Va., Wis., Wyo., sw Asia, introduced also in Mexico (Michoacán, Veracruz), Central America, South America, Eurasia, e Asia, Africa, Atlantic Islands, Pacific Islands, Australia.
Discussion
The names Veronica buxbaumii Tenore and V. tournefortii C. C. Gmelin (not V. ×tournefortii Villars) have been used for V. persica.
Selected References
None.