Veronica anagallis-aquatica L.

Locations ofVeronica anagallis-aquatica L. in Virginia

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Detail

Family
Plantaginaceae
Botanical Name
Veronica anagallis-aquatica L.
Common Name
Water Speedwell, Brook Pimpernel
Synonym(s)
Flora of Virginia Name/Status
Veronica anagallis-aquatica L.
Comments
Some sources treat this species as an introduction. According to Flora of the Southeastern U.S., however, it is circumboreal and possibly native in North America to well south of Virginia, with some introduced European material probably also occurring. Given the species' occurrence in many natural wetlands of our area, its nativity seems plausible. For the time being, we are assigning it an "Uncertain" status.

Flora of the Southeastern U.S. reports Veronica catenata Pennell from both the Virginia mountains and Piedmont. This taxon is similar to, and sometimes considered a var. of V. anagallis-aquatica, with overlapping diagnostic characters, similar habitat affiliations, and similar circumboreal range. Specimens from five western Virginia counties at NCU were annotated to V. catenata by Albach (FNA author) in 2012 (Alleghany, Buckingham, Grayson, Pulaski, and Rockbridge). Further study in the field and herbarium, especially an examination of herbarium specimens residing under the name "V. anagallis-aquatica" is needed before we formally map this taxon.
Habitat
Bogs, seeps, seepage swamps, low meadows, ditches, scoured streamsides, sand or gravel bars, freshwater tidal marshes, and impoundment marshes. Frequent in the mountains; infrequent in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain.
Native Status
Not Specified

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