BLUE AND PURPLE 



is quite smooth, while that of S. integrifolia is rather downy. 

 It was formerly believed to be a sure cure for hydrophobia. 



S. galericulata is usually found somewhat northward. Its 

 flowers are much larger than those of S. lateriflo7-a^ but smaller 

 than those of S. integrifolia. They grow singly from the axils 

 of the upper leaves. 



AMERICAN BROOKLIME. 



Veronica Americana. Figwort Family. 



Stem. — Smooth ; reclining at base, then erect ; eight to fifteen inches 

 high. Leaves. — Mostly opposite ; oblong ; toothed. Flowers. — Blue ; clus- 

 tered in the axils of the leaves. Calyx. — Four-parted. Corolla. — Wheel- 

 shaped ; four-parted. Stamens. — Two. Pistil. — One. 



Perhaps the prettiest of the blue Veronicas is the American 

 brooklime. Its clustered flowers make bright patches in moist 

 ground which might, at a little distance, be mistaken for beds 

 of forget-me-nots. It blossoms from June till August, and is 

 almost as common in wet ditches and meadows as its sister, the 

 common speedwell, is in dry and open places. Some of the 

 members of this genus were once believed to possess great me- 

 dicinal virtues, and won for themselves in Europe the laudatory 

 names of Honor and Praise. 



COMMON SPEEDWELL. 



[PI. CXXXII 



Veronica officinalis. Figwort Family. 



Stem. — Prostrate; rooting. Leaves. — Short-stemmed; downy ; toothed. 

 Floivers. — Pale blue ; small ; in thick clusters which grow from an axil of 

 the leaves. Calyx. — Usually four-parted. Corolla. — Usually four-parted. 

 Stamens. — Two. Pistil. — One. 



'* The little speedwell's darling blue" is noticeable during 

 June and July, when clusters of these tiny flowers brighten the 

 roadside banks. 



285 



