SPIKED SPEEDWELL

Veronica Spicata

Plantain Family [Plantaginaceae]  
Formerly in: Figwort Family [Scrophulariaceae]

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flower
flower8blue		 morph
morph8zygo		 petals
petalsZ4		 type
typeZspiked		 stem
stem8round

16th June 2009, Great Orme, North Wales. Photo: © RWD
Grows on short turf up to 60cm tall, shorter on high ground as here. A spike of brilliantly blue flowers.


16th June 2009, Great Orme, North Wales. Photo: © RWD
Flowers are four-petalled with prominent stamens. Stems brownish and covered in hairs.


16th June 2009, Great Orme, North Wales. Photo: © RWD
Flowers an intense blue. Stamens prominent.


16th June 2009, Great Orme, North Wales. Photo: © RWD
The flowers un-furl from a pointed bud.


16th June 2009, Great Orme, North Wales. Photo: © RWD
Prominent stamens.


16th June 2009, Great Orme, North Wales. Photo: © RWD
Leaves in opposite pairs up the stem and slightly wavy and browned at the edges. Covered in hairs.

Hybridises with : Long-leaved Speedwell (Veronica longifolia) to produce Veronica longifolia × spicata which is taller, showier and has toothed leaves.

Uniquely identifiable characteristics

Taxonomists, in their infinite wisdom, have deemed that the Speedwells no longer belong to the Foxglove and Figwort Family, but to the Plantain Family.

ANY TEXT GOES HERE

Distribution
family8Plantain family8Plantaginaceae
BSBI maps
genus8Veronica
Veronica

SPIKED SPEEDWELL

Veronica Spicata

Plantain Family [Plantaginaceae]  
Formerly in: Figwort Family [Scrophulariaceae]