Scientific Family
Scrophulariaceae
Synonyms
Veronica catenata, Veronica comosa, Veronica connata, Veronica glandifera, Veronica micromeria, Veronica salina, Veronica ×lackschewitzii
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Biennial or perennial
Height
8 inches to 3 feet
Riparian
Yes
Stems bend and root at lower nodes, grow up to 3 feet long, simple to many-branching from the base; flower clusters of light blue to lavender (light purple).
Leaves elliptic, opposite along the stems, clasping, lowest leaves sometimes on short stems; lateral flower heads of 30 or more irregular 4-petaled, bluish-lilac flowers emerge from upper leaf axils; seed capsules are not distinctly notched.
Habitat
It occurs in many types of moist and wet habitat, and is semi-aquatic, often growing in shallow water.
Plant Community
Riparian
Low elevation
1500
High elevation
7000
Flower Characteristics
Flower clusters of 30 to 60 flowers in leaf axils. Flowers are up to 1/2 inch wide with 4 lobes, the upper lobe being the widest. Flowers are blue, lavender (light purple), or violet (bluish-purple) with purple lines near the base.
Flower color
Light blue, light purple, bluish-purple
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems are 8 inches to 3 feet long; leaves are 1 to 3 inches long, 1/4 to 1-1/2 inches wide, mostly finely toothed, clasping bases.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
Yes
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Ovoid with an inconspicuous notch at the tip and a persistent style. Capsules split open to release many tiny seeds.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Brown
Seeds tiny and numerous.