Veronica chamaedrys, Germander Speedwell

Common Name: Germander Speedwell

Veronica chamaedrys, more commonly known as Germander Speedwell, is found in grassland, woods and also in scree slopes. Growing to a height of c.25-50cm, with flowers c.9-12mm in diameter. The flowers are in spikes arising from leaf axils. Leaves hairy, unstalked or with a stalk up to 5mm in length. The flower-stalks are at least as long as the bract at their base, and at least as long as the calyx.

The two lines of hairs up the stem are nearly always present and are enough on their own to identify the plant, but in deep shade the stem is sometimes equally hairy all round. The leaves are well-toothed and the fruit-capsules are shorter than the calyx. The flowers are normally bright blue with a white eye, but occasionally appear to be more of a mauve colour.

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