Veronica triloba(Opiz) Grey Field Speedwell

Veronica triloba(Opiz) - Grey Field Speedwell

Scientific Description:

Decumbent annual, usually strongly branched, shoots (5−)10−30 cm, completely eglandular, stems ± pubescent to subvillous. Leaves and bracts ± fleshy and rigid, dark green, ± pubescent. Bracts with 2−5(−8) mm petiole, lamina ± transversely-rectangular in outline, 3(−5)-lobed usually to at least, lobes subequal in length, laterals narrower than central, 4−9(−12) × 6−12(−17) mm, base truncate to subcordate. Pedicels 2−7(−9) mm in fruit, pilose (hairs in 1 row), patent or deflexed in fruit. Calyx lobes subpetiolate, triangular-cordate, 4−5(−6) × 3−4(−5) mm, connivent after anthesis, puberulent (hairs 0.1−0.3 mm) on outer surface (rarely glabrous), densely ciliate, cilia 35−60 per side, 0.3−0.8(−1.1) mm, 0.04−0.07 mm broad at base. Corolla deep blue, 3−5 mm diam. Style 0.4−0.8(−1.0) mm. Capsule 2.5−3(−3.5) × 4.5 mm, strongly inflated, without keel, smooth, base subcordate, apex slightly rounded-emarginate, glabrous. Seeds c. 4, ellipsoid, often ± subrectangular, 2.2−2.8 × 1.5−2.2 mm, deeply urn-shaped with elaiosome within, rather dull brown-yellowish, strongly rugose to margin; margin narrow, not or scarcely involute, not thinned.

Flowering time: (February−)March−May(−June).

Habitat: Pinus L. forest, scree, rocky places, fields, vineyards, 100−1900 m.

Reference:

Fischer MA (1978). Veronica triloba (Opiz) Kemer, In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 6: 725.

Public Description:

Veronica triloba, known as “grey field speedwell”, is widespread and common throughout the Mediterranean. It is an annual plant with deep blue flowers, and grows up to 30 cm in length. It blooms between February and June and is found in pine forest, scree, rocky places, fields and vineyards.

References:

Anonymous 1 (2016) http://www.cretanflora.com/veronica_triloba.html/,Accessed date: 23.09.2016.

Anonymous 2 (2016) http://www.tubives.com/index.php?sayfa=1&tax_id=7234/,Accessed date: 23.09.2016.

Güner E D (2012) Veronica L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 677–684.