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Western Wetland Flora

Field Office Guide to Plant Species

American Speedwell
Veronica americana Schweinitz ex Benth.

JPG -- Species Photo JPG -- Distribution Map

Family: Figwort (Scrophulariaceae)
Flowering: July-August
Field Marks: The distinguishing features of this species are its axillary racemes of blue flowers on stalks 1/4-1/2 inch long, and its smooth, simple leaves on short stalks.
Habitat: Wet meadows, along streams, around lakes, around springs, often in water.
Habit: Perennial herb with rhizomes.
Stems: Spreading to eventually upright, rooting at the nodes, up to 2 feet long, smooth.
Leaves: Opposite, simple, lanceolate to ovate, up to 2 inches long, up to 1 1/4 inches wide, rounded or pointed at the tip, rounded at the base, toothed or without teeth, smooth.
Flowers: 10-25 in axillary racemes, the racemes up to 5 inches long; bracts small; flower stalks up to 1/2 inch long.
Sepals: 4, green, united at the base, up to 1/4 inch long, the lobes lanceolate to ovate.
Petals: 4, blue, united to form a short tube, 1/4-1/2 inch across, the lobes unequal in size.
Stamens: 2, attached to the petals.
Pistils: Ovary superior, smooth.
Fruits: Capsules nearly spherical, up to 1/6 inch in diameter, smooth, not notched at the tip: seeds numerous, very small, brownish.

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Page Last Modified: Saturday, 02-Feb-2013 06:27:28 EST
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