Common Speedwell.Veronica officinalis.Upland Speedwell.
Found in dry uplands and light woods in June and July.
The leafy stalk lies along the ground, with the flower-stems rising from it; it is round, downy, and tough. In color green.
The oval leaf, broad and rounded at the tip, tapers at the base into an exceedingly short stem: the edge is notched, and the surface downy. The leaves are set in pairs, and are of a rather light green color.
The small 4-parted flower shows the mark of the Speedwells in the inequality of the divisions, the lower one being much narrower than the other three. There are two stamens, a pistil, and a small green 4-parted calyx. The flowers are closely set on slender spires, rising from the angles of the leaves. Their color is a light lavender, lined with a darker tone.
The flat, heart-shaped pods ripen on the lower part of the spire while the upper part continues to bloom; the flowers speed quickly away,—with a glance, almost, they are gone, so lightly are they held in their green cups.