Etymology: Veronica: named after Saint Veronica, the woman who gave Jesus a cloth to wipe his face while on the way to Calvary, and so named because the markings on some species supposedly resemble those on her sacred handkerchief
Plants: erect, annual, 1"-12" tall forb, finely hairy above
Leaves: opposite except alternate in the inflorescence, oval to elliptical, 1-2 times as long as wide, rounded teeth
Flowers: purple to blue, 4-parted, 1/8" wide, lobes longer than the tube; inflorescence a terminal cluster of mostly stalkless flowers; blooms April-Aug.
Fruits: capsule margins with tiny hairs
Habitat: disturbed sites
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized

Floristic Rating: Wetland Indicator = NI USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key