SCROPHULARIACEAE

FIGWORT FAMILY

Lawrence R. Heckard, Family Coordinator

Annual to shrubs, generally glandular, some green root-parasites
Stem generally round
Leaves generally alternate, simple, generally ± entire; stipules generally 0
Inflorescence: spike to panicle, generally bracted, or flowers 1–2 in axils
Flower bisexual; calyx lobes generally 5; corolla generally strongly bilateral, generally 2-lipped (upper lip generally 2-lobed, lower lip generally 3-lobed); stamens generally 4 in 2 pairs, generally included, a 5th (generally uppermost) sometimes present as a staminode; pistil 1, ovary superior, chambers generally 2, placentas axile, style 1, stigma lobes generally 2
Fruit: capsule, generally ± ovoid, loculicidal or septicidal
Seed: coat sculpture often characteristic
Genera in family: ± 200 genera, 3000 species: ± worldwide; some cultivated as ornamental (e.g., Antirrhinum, Mimulus, Penstemon ) or medicinal (Digitalis )
Recent taxonomic note: Recently treated to include only Buddleja, Scrophularia, and Verbascum in CA; other genera moved to Orobanchaceae (Castilleja, Cordylanthus, Orthocarpus, Pedicularis, Triphysaria), Phrymaceae (Mimulus), and Plantaginaceae (= Veronicaceae sensu Olmstead et al.)
Key to genera by Elizabeth Chase Neese & Margriet Wetherwax.

VERONICA

SPEEDWELL, BROOKLIME

Margriet Wetherwax

Annual, perennial herb
Stem erect or prostrate
Leaves opposite
Inflorescence: raceme, terminal or axillary, or flowers solitary in axils; bracts small, alternate
Flower: sepals generally 4(5), ± free, generally unequal; corolla ± rotate, 4-lobed, upper lobe wide (formed by fusion of upper pair), blue or violet to white; stamens 2, exserted; stigma head-like
Fruit: capsule, flattened perpendicular to septum, generally obcordate, loculicidal and septicidal
Species in genus: ± 250 species: n temp, especially Eurasia
Etymology: (Possibly named for Saint Veronica)

Native

V. copelandii Eastw.

COPELAND'S SPEEDWELL

Perennial, rhizomed, shaggy-hairy, ± glandular
Stem ascending, branched, 5–12 cm
Leaf 5–35 mm, oblong to elliptic, acute to obtuse, entire, sessile
Inflorescence terminal; pedicels 6–8 mm
Flower: sepals generally 5, 2–3 mm, unequal, elliptic; corolla 8–10 mm, pale blue to lavender; style ± 7 mm, > fruit
Fruit longer than wide, barely notched
Ecology: UNCOMMON. Subalpine meadows, slopes
Elevation: ± 2500 m.
Bioregional distribution: e Klamath Ranges (Trinity, Siskiyou cos.)
Horticultural information: IRR, DRN: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16, 17, 18; DFCLT.