Veronica biloba
Mant. Pl. 2: 172. 1771.
Annuals. Stems erect, (1–) 2–10 (–18) cm, eglandular-hairy. Leaves: blade ovate to lanceolate-ovate, (3–) 4–12 (–20) × (1–) 2–6 (–12) mm, base cuneate, margins remotely serrate, rarely dentate, apex acute, surfaces glabrate. Racemes 1–8, terminal, 20–80 mm, 5–15 (–30) -flowered, axis eglandular and glandular-hairy; bracts lanceolate, 6–9 mm, margins entire, apex acute. Pedicels straight or scarcely deflexed, erect-spreading to horizontally spreading in fruit, (2–) 3–8 (–11) mm, shorter than subtending bract, eglandular-hairy, sometimes glandular-hairy, rarely glabrous. Flowers: calyx lobes (3–) 4–7 (–9) mm, margins entire, apex acuminate-acute, pairs connate 0.5–1.5 mm, puberulent or glabrate; corolla pale to clear blue, 2–4 mm diam.; stamens 1–2 mm; style 0.4–0.8 (–2) mm. Capsules slightly compressed in cross-section, obcordiform, (2.4–) 2.8–4 (–4.5) × (3–) 3.5–5 (–6) mm, apex emarginate, eglandular and/or glandular-hairy, rarely glabrous. Seeds (2–) 4–6 (–10), bright-yellow, oblong, cymbiform, (1.4–) 1.7–2 (–2.2) × (0.7–) 1–1.3 mm, 0.7 mm thick, smooth. 2n = 28 (Asia).
Phenology: Flowering Apr–Jul.
Habitat: Bare soils, open forests, scree, mountain and alpine meadows, humid places near streams, waste fields, ruins, calcareous and non-calcareous soils.
Elevation: (400–)1300–3000 m.
Distribution
Introduced; B.C., Mont., Utah, Asia
Discussion
Most reports of Veronica biloba pertain to V. argute-serrata. There are gatherings from potentially mixed populations (for example, Mt. Baldy, British Columbia, Lomer 97-118, UBC). Studies on phenotypic plasticity in these two species are necessary to ascertain the diagnostic characters.
Veronica intercedens Bornmüller, native to western Asia, was recently reported from Idaho. It is most similar to V. biloba, distinguished by a large calyx with broadly ovate lobes (3–5 mm versus 2–3.5 mm), the pairs joined by more than one half.
Selected References
None.