Veronica gracilis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Slender speedwell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Veronica gracilis growing in Derrimut, Melbourne. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Plantaginaceae |
| Genus: | Veronica |
| Species: | V. gracilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Veronica gracilis | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Veronica gracilis R.Br.var. gracilis | |
Veronica gracilis is a flowering plant belonging to the family Plantaginaceae, commonly known as slender speedwell.[2] It is a perennial herb with slender branches, variable shaped leaves and small lilac flowers in spring and summer.
Veronica gracilis is a slender groundcover perennial herb 15–60 cm (5.9–23.6 in) high, 1 m (3 ft 3 in) wide and spreading by underground rhizomes. The erect stems grow from the rhizome at ground level and are covered with short, stiff, soft hairs. The narrow lance-shaped leaves are oppositely arranged in pairs, 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) long and 1.5–9 mm (0.059–0.354 in) wide tapering at the apex and the petiole 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) long. The leaf margins are smooth or sometimes with a few sharp teeth, the edges rolled up-ward or spreading. The racemes grow laterally in a cluster of 1-6 cup-shaped flowers in leaf axils on the upper part of stems, usually on a peduncle 15–20 mm (0.59–0.79 in) long. The flower petals are pale mauve or blue with purple veins. The flower bracts are 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long, pedicels 15 mm (0.59 in) long and calyx lobes 7.5–8 mm (0.30–0.31 in) long. The shiny seed capsule is egg-shaped 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long, 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) wide with stiff fine backward arching hairs and notched at the apex. Flowers from September to December.[2][3][4]