Veronica longifolia, 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

59. V. longifolia L. , Sp. Pl. 10 (1753)

( Pseudolysimachium longifolium (L.) Opiz ; inch Veronica maritima L. ).

Stem 40-120 cm, robust, erect, usually simple below, glabrous or puberulent. Leaves 30-120 x 5-20 mm, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, acuminate, truncate to cuneate at base, acutely biserrate, glabrous or sparsely hairy, opposite or in whorls of 3 or 4; petiole usually less than 10 mm. Inflorescence up to 25 cm, very dense, usually with one or more small lateral branches; pedicels 1-2 mm, shorter than the linear-filiform bracts. Calyx-segments 2-3 mm, triangular-ovate, acute, unequal; corolla 6-8 mm in diameter, lilac or pale blue. Capsule c. 3 x 3 mm, broadly ovoid to subglobose, emarginate, glabrous; style 4-10 mm. In =34, 68. Riverbanks, woods, and other damp places. N., E. & C. Europe, extending westwards to Belgium and southwards to Bulgaria. Au Be Bu Cz Da Fe Ga Ge Ho Hu It Ju No Po Rm Rs (N, B, C, W, E) Su.

Very variable, especially in size and leaf-shape.