Veronica perfoliata R.Br.

Species Introduction

Veronica perfoliata (common name Digger's speedwell) is an erect woody herb with arching, decumbent branches that reach 120 cm (47 in) in length.

General Leaf Characteristics

Its leaves are smooth and bluish green, covered in a powdery bloom, and measure approximately 1.5–5.5 cm (0.59–2.2 in) long and 15–40 mm (0.59–1.6 in) wide. Leaves are either narrow or broadly egg-shaped, arranged in opposite pairs, and connect to the stem in one of three configurations: wedge-shaped, heart-shaped, or stem-clasping.

Leaf Margins

Leaf margins can be smooth (entire), finely scalloped, or bear roughly 10 pairs of either rough or shallow sharp teeth.

Leaf Form Habitat Correlation

Plants with narrower leaves typically grow in drier sites, while the broad-leaved form grows in wetter, cooler locations.

Leaf Venation

Each leaf has 3 to 9 longitudinal veins that radiate out from its base.

Stem Structure

Numerous woody stems grow from the plant's rootstock to form a clump, and are rarely branched below the inflorescence.

Inflorescence Traits

The inflorescence is a slender raceme that is 10–45 cm (3.9–18 in) long, holding 25 to 70 flowers per stem. When the plant is fruiting, the pedicel measures 5–12 mm (0.20–0.47 in) long.

Calyx Characteristics

The smooth calyx lobes are 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in) long and 0.5–1 cm (0.20–0.39 in) wide.

Flower Petal Traits

Individual violet-blue flower petals are 7–12 mm (0.28–0.47 in) long.

Seed Capsule Dimensions

The egg-shaped seed capsules are 4.5–8.5 mm (0.18–0.33 in) long and 2.8–3.5 mm (0.11–0.14 in) wide.

Seed Capsule Appearance

Capsules are barely flattened, dull in appearance, and have either a rounded or sharply pointed tip.

Flowering Period

Flowering occurs between October and February.

Distribution and Altitude

Digger's speedwell grows at higher altitudes from 530–1,780 m (1,700–5,800 ft) in mountainous meadows, heath, eucalypt forest, and woodland in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, and Victoria.

Habitat Comparison to Related Species

It occurs in similar general areas as Veronica derwentiana, but grows in shallow, often rocky soil on steep slopes, rather than the deeper soils of shaded sites that V. derwentiana occupies.

Common Misconception

Contrary to a popular belief, the broad geographic range of this species does not mean it only grows where gold is present.