Veronica argute-serrata

Annuals. Stems erect, (7–)10–20(–30) cm, eglandular- and/or glandular-hairy. Leaves: blade lanceolate or elliptic, (6–)12–28(–35) × 3–12(–20) mm, base cuneate, margins serrate, teeth 4–7(–12) per side, apex acute, surfaces sparsely glandular-hairy or glabrate. Racemes 1–8, terminal, usually reduced and replaced by 2 pseudodichotomous racemes with additional axillary racemes, 80–150 mm, (5–)10–25(–35)-flowered, axis eglandular- and/or glandular-hairy; bracts lanceolate, 9–12 mm, proximals with margins serrate, distals sometimes entire. Pedicels erect-patent to spreading proximally, deflexed distally, (3–)6–9(–12) mm, shorter than subtending bract, densely glandular- and eglandular-hairy. Flowers: calyx lobes (5–)6–8.5(–10) mm, apex acuminate-acute, pairs connate 0.8–1.1 mm, glandular- and eglandular-hairy, rarely sparsely hairy; corolla mostly intense blue with white center, 4–6 mm diam.; stamens 2.5 mm; style (0.7–)1–1.3(–1.7) mm. Capsules slightly compressed in cross section, 3.5–5 × (4–)5–8 mm, apex emarginate, sinus angle 30–45(–60)°, densely eglandular- and glandular-hairy, rarely eglandular-hairy. Seeds 4–10, yellowish brown, oblong to ovoid, cymbiform, 1.5–2.5 × 0.8–1.5 mm, 0.8 mm thick, cristate, dorsally reticulate-verrucate. 2n = 18, 42 (Asia).

Phenology: Flowering Apr–Jun.
Habitat: Bare soils, oak and juniper forests, steppes, alpine meadows, fields, stony slopes, streams, gardens, ruins, ruderal places, calcareous and siliceous soils.
Elevation: (600–)900–3000 m.

Introduced; B.C., Colo., Idaho, Ill., Kans., Mont., Nebr., Nev., N.Mex., N.Y., Oreg., Utah, Wash., Wyo., Eurasia.

Discussion

Veronica argute-serrata has been recorded mostly under the name V. biloba and occasionally under V. campylopoda Boissier. Most of the records for V. biloba likely belong under this name. Veronica biloba is also found in the flora area, sometimes mixed with V. argute-serrata; V. campylopoda has not been recorded from the flora area. A chromosome count of 2n = 18 (C. R. Bell 1965) for American material is suspicious because 2n = 42 has been reported multiple times in Turkish plants, and a base chromosome number of × = 9 is not known in related species.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa