Slender speedwell | |
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Veronica gracilis growing in Derrimut, Melbourne. | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Plantaginaceae |
Genus: | Veronica |
Species: | V. gracilis |
Binomial name | |
Veronica gracilis | |
Synonyms [1] | |
Veronica gracilisR.Br.var. gracilis |
Veronica gracilis is a plant belonging to the family Plantaginaceae, commonly known as slender speedwell. [2] It is a perennial herb with slender branches, variable shaped leaves and small lilac flowers in spring and summer.
Veronica gracilis is a slender groundcover perennial herb 15–60 cm (5.9–23.6 in) high, 1 m (3 ft 3 in) wide and spreading by underground rhizomes. The erect stems grow from the rhizome at ground level and are covered with short, stiff, soft hairs. The narrow lance-shaped leaves are oppositely arranged in pairs, 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) long and 1.5–9 mm (0.059–0.354 in) wide tapering at the apex and the petiole 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) long. The leaf margins are smooth or sometimes with a few sharp teeth, the edges rolled up-ward or spreading. The racemes grow laterally in a cluster of 1-6 cup-shaped flowers in leaf axils on the upper part of stems, usually on a peduncle 15–20 mm (0.59–0.79 in) long. The flower petals are pale mauve or blue with purple veins. The flower bracts are 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long, pedicels 15 mm (0.59 in) long and calyx lobes 7.5–8 mm (0.30–0.31 in) long. The shiny seed capsule is egg-shaped 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long, 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) wide with stiff fine backward arching hairs and notched at the apex. Flowers from September to December. [2] [3] [4]
Veronica gracilis was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown and published the description in Prodromus florae Novae Hollandiae et insulae Van-Diemen, exhibens characteres plantarum quas annis 1802-1805. [5] [6] The specific epithet (gracilis) is a Latin word meaning "slender" and "thin". [7]
Slender speedwell is a widespread Australian species. In New South Wales it grows mainly on the northern and southern tablelands. In Victoria a widespread species across the state. In South Australia a rare species occurring in three localities on coastal fringes. A common widespread species in the Australian Capital Territory. Found growing in all distributions in wet well drained soils, grassland and eucalypt woodland in either full sun or heavily shaded positions. [2] [3] [4] [8]
Swainsona galegifolia commonly known as smooth Darling pea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to Australia. It is a small shrub with greyish-green leaves and flowers in white, red, pink, purple, yellow or orange.
Utricularia dichotoma, commonly known as fairy aprons, is a variable, perennial species of terrestrial bladderwort. It is a widespread species with mauve or purple fan-shaped flowers on a slender stalk and usually grows in wet locations.
Veronica derwentiana, commonly known as Derwent speedwell, is a flowering plant species of the family Plantaginaceae, endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is a perennial with toothed leaves and white or pale blue flowers in terminal sprays in spring and summer.
Veronica filiformis is a species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae. It is known by many common names, including slender speedwell, creeping speedwell, threadstalk speedwell and Whetzel weed. It is native to eastern Europe and western Asia, and it is known in many other regions as an introduced species.
Veronica perfoliata, commonly known as digger's speedwell, is a common perennial herb found at higher altitudes in south-eastern Australia. It is a low-growing multi-stemmed plant rising from a woody rootstock. It has rounded blue-grey foliage and sprays of intense violet-blue flowers at the end of arching branches. It is occasionally cultivated as a garden plant.
Stackhousia monogyna, commonly known as creamy stackhousia or creamy candles, is a flowering plant in the family Celastraceae. It is a small multi-stemmed plant with narrow leaves and terminal spikes of white, cream or yellow flowers. It is a widespread species found in all states of Australia but not the Northern Territory.
Rhodanthe anthemoides, commonly known as chamomile sunray, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is a small, perennial shrub with greyish-green leaves, white papery flowers, yellow centre and is endemic to Australia.
Westringia cremnophila, commonly known as Snowy River westringia, is a flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae, a rare shrub that is endemic to Victoria, Australia. It is a small shrub with leaves mostly in groups of three and white flowers.
Eucalyptus gracilis, commonly known as yorrell, snap and rattle, red mallee, white mallee or kong mallee, is a species of mallee or small tree endemic to Australia, where it is found in south-western New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. It has smooth white bark, usually with rough, fibrous or flaky bark on the lower stems, linear to narrow lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in group of between seven and eleven and cup-shaped, cylindrical or barrel-shaped fruit.
Veronica brownii is a plant belonging to the family Plantaginaceae native to New South Wales in Australia, where it is restricted to the Blue Mountains. It has arching branches with variable shaped leaves and lilac flowers in spring and summer.
Veronica calycina, commonly known as hairy speedwell or cup speedwell, is a flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae. It is a trailing perennial with dark green leaves, purple-blue flowers and is endemic to Australia.
Patersonia occidentalis, commonly known as purple flag, or long purple-flag, is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae and is endemic to southern Australia. It is a tufted, rhizome-forming perennial with narrow, sharply-pointed, strap-like leaves, egg-shaped, bluish violet sepals and a cylindrical capsule. The Noongar name for the plant is komma.
Cyperus victoriensis, also known as channel nut grass is a sedge of the family Cyperaceae that is native to all the states and territories of mainland Australia.
Veronica arcuata is a flowering plant species in the family Plantaginaceae. It is native to northern New South Wales. The lilac coloured flowers are showy and conspicuous from late spring to late summer.
Pimelea curviflora, also known as curved rice-flower, is a shrub in the family Thymelaeaceae and is endemic to Australia. It is a small, hairy shrub with greenish-yellow or red tubular flowers.
Brachyscome dentata, commonly known as lobe-seed daisy, is a tufted perennial herb in the family Asteraceae and is endemic to Australia. It has mostly white or mauve daisy-like flowers, a yellow centre and pale green leaves. It is endemic to Australia.
Goodenia gracilis, commonly known as slender goodenia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Goodeniaceae and is endemic to Australia. It is an annual or perennial herb with linear to lance-shaped leaves and racemes of yellow flowers.
Calotis lappulacea, commonly known as the yellow burr-daisy, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae found in many parts of mainland Australia. It is a small, perennial herb with yellow globular flower-heads.
Cynoglossum australe commonly known as the Australian hound's tongue, is a flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae. It is a perennial herb with blue, pink or whitish flowers found in most states of Australia.
Swainsona gracilis is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a prostrate or ascending perennial herb with imparipinnate leaves with up to 15 wedge-shaped or narrowly oblong leaflets, and racemes of up to 4 purple or blue flowers.