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Dillenius' speedwell

ivy speedwell, ivy-leaf speedwell

Habit Annuals. Annuals.
Stems

erect to ascending, (8–)10–20(–40) cm, glandular- and eglandular-hairy.

decumbent to ascending, 5–40(–50) cm, eglandular-hairy.

Leaves

blade lanceolate to ovate, 7–19(–21) × (3–)5–12 mm, 1–2 times as long as wide, base cuneate, margins (proximal) crenate-dentate or (distal) ±palmatifid, lobes 3–7+, apex of central lobe obtuse, lateral ± acute, surfaces glandular- and eglandular-hairy.

blade suborbiculate, (3–)5-lobed, central lobe usually overtopping lateral ones, (5–)7–15(–20) × 8–16(–25) mm, base truncate, margins (3–)5-lobed, apex acute, surfaces sparsely eglandular-hairy.

Racemes

1, terminal, 60–180 mm, 15–50(–120)-flowered, axis eglandular- and glandular-hairy;

proximal bracts similar to leaves, distal ones linear-lanceolate, 3–5 mm.

1–10, terminal, 50–400(–500) mm, 5–20-flowered, axis eglandular-hairy;

bracts suborbiculate, (3–)5-lobed, central lobe usually overtopping lateral ones, (5–)7–15(–20) mm.

Pedicels

erect, 2–4(–5) mm, shorter than subtending bract, length 1/2–1 times calyx, eglandular- and glandular-hairy.

patent or deflexed, (5–)9–15(–20) mm, equal to or ± shorter than subtending bract, length 2–3 times calyx, eglandular-hairy (in single line adaxially).

Flowers

calyx lobes 3.5–6 mm, apex acute, eglandular- and glandular-hairy;

corolla deep blue, 4–6 mm diam.;

stamens 0.8–1.5 mm;

style 0.8–1.5 mm, stigma violet.

calyx lobes 5–6(–7) mm, apex acute, abaxial surface usually glabrous, ciliate with 25–35 hairs per side;

corolla bright blue with bright white center, 5–7(–9) mm diam.;

stamens sky blue, 0.7–1.2 mm;

style (0.6–)0.7–0.9(–1.1) mm.

Capsules

compressed in cross section, narrowly obcordiform, 3.5–4.5 × 4–6 mm, apex emarginate, angle of sinus ca. 90°, ciliate with glandular and eglandular hairs.

± round in cross section, ovoid, 3–4 × 4.5–6 mm, apex ± emarginate, glabrate.

Seeds

10–28, yellowish, ellipsoid, flat, 0.9–1.6 × 0.7–1.3 mm, 0.2–0.3 mm thick, smooth.

1–4, bright yellow, ellipsoid to subglobular, urn-shaped, 2.3–3.3 × 2–3 mm, 1–2.2 mm thick, weakly cristate or rugose, ± smooth.

2n

= 16 (Eurasia).

= 54 (Eurasia).

Veronica dillenii

Veronica hederifolia

Phenology Flowering (Mar–)Apr–Jul. Flowering (Feb–)Mar–Jun.
Habitat Open pine and oak forests, rocky, dry, sandy slopes. Fields, lawns, gardens, ruderal places, vineyards, open forests, shady rocky places, dunes.
Elevation 500–2200 m. (1600–7200 ft.) 0–2000 m. (0–6600 ft.)
Distribution
from FNA
IL; IN; MI; NY; VA; WI; Eurasia [Introduced in North America]
[BONAP county map]
from FNA
AL; AR; CA; CT; DC; DE; FL; GA; IL; IN; KS; KY; LA; MD; MI; MO; NC; NE; NJ; NY; OH; OK; OR; PA; SC; SD; TN; UT; VA; WA; WV; BC; ON; Eurasia [Introduced in North America]
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
Discussion

Veronica dillenii is closely related to V. verna but with larger flowers; it may have been overlooked and may be distributed more widely. Most herbarium specimens of V. dillenii blacken when dry due to the presence of aucubin, which distinguishes them from V. verna.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Source FNA vol. 17, p. 318. FNA vol. 17, p. 315.
Parent taxa Plantaginaceae > Veronica Plantaginaceae > Veronica
Sibling taxa
V. agrestis, V. alpina, V. americana, V. anagallis-aquatica, V. argute-serrata, V. arvensis, V. beccabunga, V. biloba, V. catenata, V. chamaedrys, V. copelandii, V. cusickii, V. cymbalaria, V. filiformis, V. fruticans, V. grandiflora, V. hederifolia, V. longifolia, V. officinalis, V. peregrina, V. persica, V. polita, V. scutellata, V. serpyllifolia, V. spicata, V. stelleri, V. sublobata, V. teucrium, V. triloba, V. triphyllos, V. undulata, V. verna, V. wormskjoldii
V. agrestis, V. alpina, V. americana, V. anagallis-aquatica, V. argute-serrata, V. arvensis, V. beccabunga, V. biloba, V. catenata, V. chamaedrys, V. copelandii, V. cusickii, V. cymbalaria, V. dillenii, V. filiformis, V. fruticans, V. grandiflora, V. longifolia, V. officinalis, V. peregrina, V. persica, V. polita, V. scutellata, V. serpyllifolia, V. spicata, V. stelleri, V. sublobata, V. teucrium, V. triloba, V. triphyllos, V. undulata, V. verna, V. wormskjoldii
Name authority Crantz: Stirp. Austr. Fasc. ed. 2, 2: 352. (1769) Linnaeus: Sp. Pl. 1: 13. (1753) — (as hederaefolia)
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