Veronica spicata, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1972, Flora Europaea. Volume 3. Diapensiacea to Myoporaceae, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press : 251

62. V. spicata L. , Sp. Pl. 10 (1753)

( Pseudolysimachium spicatum (L.) Opiz ).

Stems 5-60 cm, erect or ascending from a more or less extensive rhizome, usually hairy and glandular. Leaves 20-80 x 3-30 mm, usually shortly petiolate, linear- to ovatelanceolate, cuneate at base, subentire to crenate, more or less hairy, opposite. Inflorescence up to 30 cm; pedicels usually less than 1 mm, much shorter than bracts. Calyx-segments usually ovate-elliptical, obtuse; corolla 4-8 mm in diameter, blue. Capsule 2 -4 x 2-4 mm, emarginate, glabrous; style 4-10 mm. Dry grassland and rocky slopes. Much o f Europe, but rare in the west and absentfrom most o fthe islands. Al Au Br Bu Cz Da Fe Ga Ge He Hs Hu It Ju No Po Rm Rs (N, B, C, W, K, E) Su Tu [Ho]. 1 Plant densely greyish-white-tomentose (b) subsp. incana 1 Plant green, sparsely or moderately hairy

2 Lower lobes of corolla linear, twisted (d) subsp. orchidea 2 Lower lobes of corolla ovate-lanceolate, flat

3 Petioles of lower leaves 10-20 mm; leaves glabrous or sparsely cibate near the base (e) subsp. crassifolia 3 Petioles of lower leaves rarely more than 10mm; leaves usually more or less hairy

4 Calyx glabrous except for stiff marginal cilia

(c) subsp. barrelieri 4 Calyx more or less hairy, usually glandular (a) subsp. spicata