250 
BRITISH WILD FLOAVERS. 
larger, with rougher stem and leaves, the latter being more strongly notched, of a much broader elliptical form, 
and of a deeper green. The stem generally produces three spikes, and it always grows erect. The plant is a 
perennial, with a creeping root. Its flowers, which are of a lighter blue than V. spicata , and slightly tinged 
with purple, are produced in July and August. 
THE BLUE ROCK SPEEDWELL. (V. saxatilis, Lin.) 
This pretty little plant has rather large blue flowers, which are produced in July. The plant is woody at 
the base, and has long fibrous roots, which penetrate through fissures in the rocks. It has only been found on 
the Scotch mountains. 
THE ALPINE SPEEDWELL. (V. alpina, Lin.) 
This is a dwarf plant, with very small blue flowers, which are produced in July and August. It is only 
found in moist places on mountains. 
ST. PAUL’S BETONY. (V. serpyllifolia, Lin.) 
This is an inconspicuous plant, with small flowers, which are sometimes purple and sometimes flesh-colour. 
It is a very common weed in cultivated ground, where its flowers appear in the early part of summer. 
** Clusters or spikes lateral. Root perennial. 
3. —THE BROOKLIME. (Veronica Beccabunga, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 655 ; 2nd. ed., t. 14. 
Specific Character. —Clusters lateral. Leaves elliptical, flat. Stem creeping. (Smith.) 
Description, &c. —This species is abundant in clear ditches and rivulets in every part of Great Britain. 
It is antiscorbutic, and was formerly much eaten together with Scurvy-Grass and Water-Cresses “to sweeten 
the blood.” The small purple flowers appear in June and July. 
4.— THE GERMANDER. (Veronica Chamjedrys, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 623 ; 2nd cd., t. 17; and our fig. 3, 
in PI. 47. 
Specific Character. —Clusters lateral. Leaves ovate, sessile, 
rugged, deeply serrated. Stem diffuse, with a hairy line at each side. 
Calyx four-cleft, lanceolate. (Smith.) 
Description, &c. —This species produces its bright blue flowers in the months of May and June. It is 
abundant in every part of England on hedge-banks and by the road-sides. The flowers close before rain, and 
at night. . 
THE COMMON SPEEDWELL. (V. officinalis, Lin.) 
This is a neat little plant, with small purple flowers, which are pink on the back. This species was 
formerly called the Male Speedwell, and it was occasionally used in country places instead of tea. 
There are several other species of Veronica, some of which are annuals, but they have all inconspicuous 
flowers. 
