Images: ©Jouko Lehmuskallio
Long-leaved Speedwell
Veronica longifolia
- Family: Figwort Family – Scrophulariaceae
- Height: 30–90 cm (12–35 in.). Stem erect, unbranhed, glabrous or short-haired.
- Flower: Almost regular, 6–8 mm (0.24–0.3 in.) across. Petals 4, united, blue, rarely white, corolla wheel-shaped, with a short tube. Sepals 4, united. Stamens 2. Pistil formed from 2 fused carpels. Inflorescence a very dense spike-like raceme, 10–30 cm (4–12 in.) long.
- Leaves: Opposite or whorled. Short-stalked. Blade lanceolate to linear, with densely and deeply saw-toothed margins.
- Fruit: A brown, hairless, heart-shaped capsule.
- Habitat: Sea- and lakeshores, river margins, waterside thickets, cracks in cliffs, sometimes natural grassland and hay fields. In North Finland also roadsides and grassy commons.
- Flowering time: July–August.
The long-leaved speedwell is an erect, short-hairy perennial. It is native on shores of the sea and of lakes and rivers inland. Occasionally it also occurs in hay fields and natural meadows.
The long-leaved speedwell resembles the spiked speedwell (V. spicata), but differs in having lanceolate, densely and deeply toothed, and hairless or only slightly hairy leaves. The leaves of the spiked speedwell are narrowly elliptic, sparsely and shallowly toothed, and covered with short glandular hairs. The two species interbreed.
