8CR0PHULARIACEJE. 263 VERONl'tfA. 



15. VERO'NICA. 



Calyx 4-partecl; corolla subrotate, deeply 4-clert, lower 

 segment narrow ; stamens 2, sterile filanjents ; capsule 

 obcordate, 2celled, few-seeded. 



Etymology doubtful ; perhaps named for St. Veronica. Mostly herbs with 

 opposite leaves. Style thread-shaped, declining, as long as the stamens. 

 Caps, compressed at the summit. 



* Racemes terminal. 



1. V. SERPYLLIFO'LtA. 



Raceme somewhat spiked, tefminal; haves oval, slightly crenate, smooth ; 

 capsule broad-obcordate, as long as the style A small plant, often concealed 

 among the grass in meadows, and unconsciously trodden under foot. The 

 stem is decumbent and rooting at the base, 3 — 6 inches in length, branching,- 

 very smooth. Leaves opposite, with short petioles, smootli, obtuse, 3-nerved 

 and somewhat fleshy. Flowers in long, terminal and subterminal racemes, 

 with oval bracts. Corolla beautifully variegated with blue and white, and 

 striped with violet lines. Root of long, white fibres, perennial. Flowers in 

 May and June^ in; pastures and roadsides. Smooth Speedwell. 



* * Racemes a.xillary. 



2. V* officina'lis. 



Leaves broadly ovate or elliptical, serrate, rough, pubescent, cm short 

 petioles-, siem procumbent, branched, spreading. The whole plant is rough 

 with short hairs, trailing, about a foot in length, with ascending branches. 

 The leaves vary from ovate to obovate, but are generally elliptical, eire to one 

 and a half inches in length. The flowers are pale-blue, forming rather long, 

 axillary, erect, pedunculate spikes. Found in dry woods and open fields. 

 May— Jl. Per. Officinal Speedwell. 



3. V. scutella'ta. 



Racemes lateral, alternate ; pedicels divaricate ; leaves linear, slightly in- 

 dented. A slender, weak, perennial herb, with long, narrow leaves (2 — 3 

 inches long and 2 lines vv'ide). Stem rarely a foot high. The racemes are 

 axillary, with pale, flesh-colored flowers, pencilled with purple lines. Pedun- 

 cles and pedicels extremely slender, the latter bent quite back as the capsule 

 ripens,- June — Aug. Marsh Speedw'elL 



4. V. anaga'llis. 



Racemes lateral opposite ; leaves lanceolate, serrate ; stem erect. A smooth, 

 succulent plant of aquatic habits, frequenting the borders of brooks and pools. 

 Stem obtusely 4-angled, 1 — 2 feet high. Leaves smooth, sessile on short 

 petioles, one and a half to two and a half inches long. Flowers purplish, in 

 long, loose, axillary racemes. Pedicels not reflexed, 3 — 5 lines long. 

 Peduncles thickened. June, July. Per. Water Speedwell. 



5. V. Beccabu'nga. 



Racemes lateral, opposite; leaves elliptical, obtuse, somewhat serrate, 

 glabrous. Stem procumbent, rooting at tlie base, generally floating, round, 

 smooth and sliining, like every other part of tlie herb, and extending 1 — 2 

 feet. Leaves of a bright green, 1 — 2 inches long. Flowers of a rich sky- 

 blue, in long, slender, pedunculate clusters. Flowers in June and Julv. 

 Brooks and clear waters, Per. Broohlime Speedwell. 



