FIGWORT FAMILY 



LONG-LEAVED VERONICA 



Verdnica longifldra. 



An excellent representative of the strong-growing and upright Veron- 

 icas. Native to wet fields in eastern Europe and western Asia. Several 

 varieties are in cultivation. Perennial. July to September. 



5tew.— Upright, leafy, two and a half feet high, 

 usually smooth. 



Leaves. — Lanceolate or oblong-acuminate, 

 sharply serrate, acute, lower opposite, upper more or 

 less verticillate, two and a half to four inches long. 



Flowers. — ^Violet, varying in hybrids to blue, 

 borne in erect, dense, bracted, simple or panicled 

 spikes. 



Calyx. — Four-parted. 



Corolla.— Sra&ll, tubular, with four-lobed border, 

 the lowest lobe narrower than the others; deep-lilac 

 or blue. 



Stamens. — Two, exserted, one on each side of 

 the upper lobe of the corolla; filaments blue. 



Ovary. — Oblong; style thread-like. 



Capsule. — Oblong, seeds several. 



This European, strong-growing, erect Ver- 

 onica makes a fine border plant, for the densely 

 flowered racemes give an extended blooming 

 period. In the type the flower color is violet, 

 but in varieties it becomes an intense blue. 



Veronica spichta, a very similar species hav- 

 ing the same habitat except that it prefers hilly 

 pastures in a sunny location, is also used as a border plant. 



When spring is well under way our northern pastures and 

 meadows are full of the dainty flowers of St. Veronica, known 

 as the Speedwells; delicate creeping plants a few inches high, 

 bearing pale-blue or white almost circular blossoms, perhaps an 

 eighth of an inch across, and marked with, dark-blue lines. As 

 they peer out from the green turf, one understands the reason 

 for their ancient name, Bird's-eyes. Veronica peregrlna, the Wan- 

 dering Speedwell, and Veronica serpyllifdlia, the Thyme-leaved 

 Speedwell, are two common species. 



«4 



Long-leaved Veronica. 

 Verotpica longifldra 



