IVY-LEAVED SPEEDWELL

Veronica Hederifolia ssp. lucorum

Plantain Family [Plantaginaceae]

Formerly in: Figwort Family [Scrophulariaceae]

9th April 2010, nr Bollington, Cheshire.

Photo: © RWD

9th April 2010, nr Bollington, Cheshire.

Photo: © RWD

Sepals are reddish-brown. Those of un-opened flowers resemble a four-flanged heart or philips screw-driver head. All parts (except petals and inner components of the flower) have conspicuous white hairs, mostly on the edges of leaves and sepals.

9th April 2010, nr Bollington, Cheshire.

Photo: © RWD

9th April 2010, nr Bollington, Cheshire.

Photo: © RWD

16th April 2008, Tarporley, Cheshire.

Photo: © RWD

Whole plant covered in longish hairs.

16th April 2008, Tarporley, Cheshire.

Photo: © RWD

Stems brownish. Leaves Ivy-shaped. Tiny flowers lilac with four reddish sepals which never seem to open fully.

16th April 2008, Tarporley, Cheshire.

Photo: © RWD

Leaves covered in longish hairs both surfaces.

16th April 2008, Tarporley, Cheshire.

Photo: © RWD

Palmate leaves similarly shaped to those of Ivy. More bluntly toothed than those of sub-species hederifolia.

9th April 2010, nr Bollington, Cheshire.

Photo: © RWD

Lilac flowers with four bi-laterally symmetric petals, whereas those of sub-species hederifolia are mostly pale blue instead. But the most definitive difference between the two sub-species is that ssp. lucorum has either white or pale lilac whereas those of ssp. hederifolia are blue.

Uniquely identifiable characteristics

Distinguishing Feature : A Speedwell with Ivy-shaped leaves.

There are two sub-species of Ivy-leaved Speedwell, this one (ssp. lucorum) which is the more common and has lilac flowers, and ssp. hederifolia which has light blue flowwers. [Note that Ivy-leaved Speedwell itself is not shown here].

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Distribution
family8Plantain family8Plantaginaceae

BSBI maps

Veronica