12. Veronica Hederaefolia L. Ivy-Leaved Speedwell

Fig. 3807

Veronica hederaefolia L. Sp. Pl. 13. 1753.

Annual, pubescent; stems slender, diffusely branched, 3'-18' long. Leaves orbicular or broader, truncate or subcordate at the base, 3-5-lobed or 3-5-crenate, petioled, 1/4' - 1' in diameter, the lower opposite, the upper all alternate and with slender peduncled small blue flowers in their axils; peduncles filiform, often longer than the leaves; corolla 2" broad, scarcely longer than the calyx; capsule little compressed, 2-lobed, broader than high, shorter than the densely ciliate sepals, 2-4-seeded; seeds excavated on the inner side.

In thickets, fields and waste places, southern New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey to South Carolina. Naturalized from Europe. Native also of Asia. April-Oct. Ivy-chickweed. Mother-of-wheat. Small henbit. Winter-weed. Morgeline.