Water Speedwell
Veronica anagallis-aquatica
Photographed in Hassayampa Box Canyon, Yavapai Co., Arizona. April 2008.
HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL: Plants usually survive several seasons so long as
intervening droughts are not too severe. Succulent above ground portions rarely
exceed 50 cm in height. Several
ascending branches.
FLOWERS: Blue-violet flowers are are nearly radially symmetrical. Spikes
branch out from leaf axils often with many flowers open at once.
RANGE: Grows in moist sand and fine gravel along riparian channels in
Sycamore Woodlands. Blooming occurs mid spring through autumn. Generally
distributed and common in most of Arizona's riparian habitats. Native to
Eurasia and naturalized through much of North America.
LEAVES: Leaves are elyptic and variously toothed or smooth along
margins. The bases more-or-less clasp the stem and are opposite.
FRUIT: Capsules are flattened and contain a number of seeds.
UNARMED.
Scrophulariaceae -- Figwort Family
More Information:
- Jepson Manual
- Firefly Forest - Tucson
- USDA Plant Profile
- ITIS Taxonomic Report
- Google Images
- Google Scholar Literature Search