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trilobed speedwell

Dillenius' speedwell

Habit Annuals. Annuals.
Stems

decumbent, (5–)10–30 cm, ± eglandular-hairy.

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

Leaves

blade broadly ovate to suborbiculate, 3(–5)-lobed, central lobe 1/4–1/2 times length of whole leaf, (3–)5–10(–15) × (4–)6–12(–18) mm, ± fleshy, base truncate to subcordate, margins 3(–5)-lobed, apex acute, surfaces sparsely eglandular-hairy.

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.

Racemes

1–10, terminal, (50–)100–300 mm, 5–20-flowered, axis sparsely eglandular-hairy;

bracts broadly ovate to suborbiculate, 3(–5)-lobed, (3–)5–10(–15) mm.

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.

Pedicels

patent, deflexed in fruit, (2–)4–8(–10) mm, shorter than subtending bract, length 1–2 times calyx, glabrous abaxially, hairy adaxially.

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

Flowers

calyx lobes 4–5(–6) mm, apex acute, puberulent on abaxial surface, rarely glabrous, densely ciliate with 35–60 per side;

corolla deep blue with white center, 3–5 mm diam.;

stamens dark blue, length unknown;

style 0.5–0.9(–1.1) mm.

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.

Capsules

± round in cross section, ovoid, 2.5–3(–3.5) × 4–5 mm, apex ± emarginate, glabrous.

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.

Seeds

(1–)4, dull yellowish brown, ellipsoid, often elongate-cuboidal, deeply urn-shaped (elaiosome inside), 2.2–2.8 × 1.5–2.2 mm, 1–1.4 mm thick, cristate to strongly rugose at margins.

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

2n

= 18 (Eurasia).

= 16 (Eurasia).

Veronica triloba

Veronica dillenii

Phenology Flowering (Feb–)Mar–May(–Jun). Flowering (Mar–)Apr–Jul.
Habitat Disturbed sites. Open pine and oak forests, rocky, dry, sandy slopes.
Elevation 100–200 m. (300–700 ft.) 500–2200 m. (1600–7200 ft.)
Distribution
from FNA
CA; OH; Europe (Balkans); Asia (Turkey) [Introduced in North America]
from FNA
IL; IN; MI; NY; VA; WI; Eurasia [Introduced in North America]
[BONAP county map]
Discussion

Veronica triloba is known in the flora area from three recent collections in California and Ohio; it is possibly more widespread than reported here. It is closely related to V. hederifolia.

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

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. 316. FNA vol. 17, p. 318.
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. dillenii, 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. 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. 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
Synonyms V. hederifolia var. triloba
Name authority (Opiz) Opiz: Naturalientausch 11: 467. (1826) Crantz: Stirp. Austr. Fasc. ed. 2, 2: 352. (1769)
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