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speedwell, spring speedwell

trilobed speedwell

Habit Annuals. Annuals.
Stems

erect or ascending, (1–)3–15(–20) cm, at least distally glandular- and eglandular-hairy.

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

Leaves

blade lanceolate to ovate, (4–)6–13 × (2.5–)4–10 mm, 1.3–1.6 times as long as wide, base cuneate, proximal margins coarsely crenate-serrate, distal pinnatifid to subpalmatifid, lobes 3–7, central largest, lateral linear to lanceolate, apex of central lobe obtuse, lateral ± acute, surfaces sparsely glandular-hairy.

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.

Racemes

1–3, terminal and axillary, 20–80 mm, (5–)15–40(–60)-flowered, axis eglandular- and glandular-hairy;

bracts proximalmost often 3-fid, others linear-lanceolate, 3–5(–8) mm.

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.

Pedicels

erect, (0.4–)1–3 mm, shorter than subtending bract, length 1/3–1/2 times calyx, eglandular- and glandular-hairy.

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

Flowers

calyx lobes (2–)3–5(–7) mm, apex acute, eglandular- and glandular-hairy;

corolla sky to pale blue, 1.5–3 mm diam.;

stamens 0.2–0.6 mm;

style 0.2–0.6 mm, stigma white.

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.

Capsules

compressed in cross section, obcordiform, 2.5–3.5 × 3.5–5 mm, apex emarginate, eglandular-hairy.

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

Seeds

8–20(–26), yellowish, ellipsoid, flat, 0.9–1.6 × 0.6–1.3 mm, 0.2 mm thick, smooth to ± rugulose.

(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.

2n

= 16 (Eurasia).

= 18 (Eurasia).

Veronica verna

Veronica triloba

Phenology Flowering (Mar–)Apr–Jun(–Aug). Flowering (Feb–)Mar–May(–Jun).
Habitat Open pine and oak forests, rocky and sandy steppes, pastures, meadows. Disturbed sites.
Elevation 300–2600 m. (1000–8500 ft.) 100–200 m. (300–700 ft.)
Distribution
from FNA
ID; IN; MA; MI; MN; MT; NY; OR; WA; WI; WY; BC; NB; NS; ON; PE; Eurasia [Introduced in North America]
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
from FNA
CA; OH; Europe (Balkans); Asia (Turkey) [Introduced in North America]
Discussion

Specimens of Veronica verna from Alberta have not been verified.

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

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.)

Source FNA vol. 17, p. 317. FNA vol. 17, p. 316.
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. triloba, V. triphyllos, V. undulata, 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. 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
Synonyms V. hederifolia var. triloba
Name authority Linnaeus: Sp. Pl. 1: 14. (1753) (Opiz) Opiz: Naturalientausch 11: 467. (1826)
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