Veronica persica [Persian Speedwell]

[Andrea B.]

Blum, A.G. (2017) Veronica persica Poiret (Plantaginaceae) Persian Speedwell. Flowers photographed in ultraviolet and visible light. http://www.ultraviol...sian-speedwell/

^{Updated 15 April 2017}

^{A visible photograph of a V. polita raceme, mistakenly posted here, was removed and placed into the Veronica polita post.}

 

Synonyms

• Pocilla persica (Poir.) Fourr.
  

Other Common Names

• Bird's-eye Speedwell
  

Comment

A pretty little sky-blue zygomorphic weed which typically has a UV-dark center including the stigma and two stamens.

 

Classification of the Veronicas into groups based on their iridoid glucosides and chromosome numbers shows that the very closely related V. polita and V. persica both belong to group II.⁽²⁾ Practically, the difference between the two species in the field can be determined by measuring the corolla width and pedicel length.

V. persica :: corolla 8-11mm wide and stalk 15-40mm long

V. polita :: corolla 4-8mm wide and stalk 6-15mm long

 

Reference:

1. Newcomb, L. (1977) Persian Speedwell or Bird's Eye, page 96. Newcomb's Wildflower Guide. Little, Brown & Co., New York City, NY.


2. Taskova R., Albach D., and Grayer R. (2004) Phylogeny of Veronica - a Combination of Molecular and Chemical Evidence. Plant Biology 6(6):673-82 · December 2004

 

Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown, New Jersey, USA

13 May 2013

Wildflower

 

Equipment [Nikon D200-broadband + Nikon 105mm f/4.5 UV-Nikkor]

 

Visible Light [f/11 for 1/40" @ ISO 100 in Sunlight with Baader UVIR-Block Filter]

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11 for 1/60" @ ISO-400 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and Baader UV-Pass Filter]

 

Ultraviolet Light [f/11 for 1/1.6" @ ISO-400 with SB-14 UV-modified Flash and Baader UV-Pass Filter]