Veronica sublobata |
Veronica biloba |
|
---|---|---|
false ivy-leaf speedwell |
bilobed speedwell, twolobe speedwell |
|
Habit | Annuals. | Annuals. |
Stems | decumbent to ascending, sometimes erect in young plants, 5–40(–50) cm, eglandular-hairy. |
erect, (1–)2–10(–18) cm, eglandular-hairy. |
Leaves | blade ovate to broadly ovate, 5(–7)-lobed, central lobe longer than wide and broadest, (7–)9–15(–25) × (7–)9–17(–27) mm, base truncate, margins 5(–7)-lobed, apex obtuse to rounded, surfaces sparsely eglandular-hairy. |
blade ovate to lanceolate-ovate, (3–)4–12(–20) × (1–)2–6(–12) mm, base cuneate, margins remotely serrate, rarely dentate, apex acute, surfaces glabrate. |
Racemes | 1–10, terminal, 50–400(–500) mm, 5–20-flowered, axis eglandular-hairy; bracts broadly ovate, 5(–7)-lobed, central lobe longer than wide and broadest, (7–)9–15(–25) mm. |
1–8, terminal, 20–80 mm, 5–15(–30)-flowered, axis eglandular- and glandular-hairy; bracts lanceolate, 6–9 mm, margins entire, apex acute. |
Pedicels | patent or deflexed, (7–)10–18(–24) mm, ± longer than subtending bract, length 3–4(–6) times calyx, eglandular-hairy (densely adaxially). |
straight or scarcely deflexed, erect-spreading to horizontally spreading in fruit, (2–)3–8(–11) mm, shorter than subtending bract, eglandular-hairy, sometimes glandular-hairy, rarely glabrous. |
Flowers | calyx lobes 3–4 mm, apex acute, sparsely hairy on abaxial surface or glabrous, ciliate with 25–35 hairs per side; corolla pale violet to whitish, 4–5(–6) mm diam.; stamens pale violet, 0.4–0.8 mm; style 0.2–0.7 mm. |
calyx lobes (3–)4–7(–9) mm, margins entire, apex acuminate-acute, pairs connate 0.5–1.5 mm, puberulent or glabrate; corolla pale to clear blue, 2–4 mm diam.; stamens 1–2 mm; style 0.4–0.8(–2) mm. |
Capsules | ± round in cross section, ovoid, 2–3 × 3.5–5 mm, apex ± emarginate, glabrate. |
slightly compressed in cross section, obcordiform, (2.4–)2.8–4(–4.5) × (3–)3.5–5(–6) mm, apex emarginate, eglandular- and/or glandular-hairy, rarely glabrous. |
Seeds | 1–4, bright reddish brown, broadly ovoid to subglobular, urn-shaped, 2.2–2.7 × 2–2.4 mm, 1–1.8 mm thick, transverse ribs inconspicuous, thinner towards margin, margins strongly involute. |
(2–)4–6(–10), bright yellow, oblong, cymbiform, (1.4–)1.7–2(–2.2) × (0.7–)1–1.3 mm, 0.7 mm thick, smooth. |
2n | = 36 (Europe). |
= 28 (Asia). |
Veronica sublobata |
Veronica biloba |
|
Phenology | Flowering Mar–May. | Flowering Apr–Jul. |
Habitat | Moist forests, damp, shady ruderal places, thickets, gardens, montane fields. | Bare soils, open forests, scree, mountain and alpine meadows, humid places near streams, waste fields, ruins, calcareous and non-calcareous soils. |
Elevation | 0–1000 m. (0–3300 ft.) | (400–)1300–3000 m. ((1300–)4300–9800 ft.) |
Distribution |
AL; KY; MD; MO; OH; UT; VA; Europe [Introduced in North America] |
MT; UT; BC; Asia [Introduced in North America]
|
Discussion | Veronica sublobata is closely related to V. hederifolia and has been frequently synonymized with or treated as a subspecies of the latter. It has rarely been reported in the flora area and is surely more widespread than indicated above. It seems to be more rare than V. hederifolia with only about a dozen verified records from seven states. However, its frequent occurrence in cultivated habitats in Europe makes it likely that it has been introduced to the flora area on multiple occasions. (Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.) |
Most reports of Veronica biloba pertain to V. argute-serrata. There are gatherings from potentially mixed populations (for example, Mt. Baldy, British Columbia, Lomer 97-118, UBC). Studies on phenotypic plasticity in these two species are necessary to ascertain the diagnostic characters. Veronica intercedens Bornmüller, native to western Asia, was recently reported from Idaho. It is most similar to V. biloba, distinguished by a large calyx with broadly ovate lobes (3–5 mm versus 2–3.5 mm), the pairs joined by more than one half. (Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.) |
Source | FNA vol. 17, p. 315. | FNA vol. 17, p. 321. |
Parent taxa | ||
Sibling taxa | ||
Synonyms | V. hederifolia subsp. lucorum, V. hederifolia var. lucorum | |
Name authority | M. A. Fischer: Oesterr. Bot. Z. 114: 201, 227, figs. 3c, 4c. (1967) | Linnaeus: Mant. Pl. 2: 172. (1771) |
Web links |