Scrophulariaceae
Figwort Family
Veronicastrum virginicum (L.) Farw.
- Stem: perennial; 3’ to 4’ tall; unbranched; hairy.
- Leaves: whorled, five, occasionally four, at each node; oval, tapered to both ends; 3” by 5/8”; leaf stalks very short, 1/8”; toothed margins; smooth above and below.
- Inflorescence: raceme, several at the ends of flower stalks from the stem tip and upper leaf axils; flowers very densely packed; flowering begins at the base.
- Flowers: corolla white, tubular, 3/16” long with small lobes; stamens projecting well beyond the corolla, yellow anthers; calyx light green, deeply lobed, 1/16” long; flowering from early July to early August.
- Fruits: capsules, 1/8” long, splitting into two halves; seeds very tiny; fruiting begins in mid-July; plants turn black as the fruits mature in August.
- Habitat: common on moist prairies and in open woods, into somewhat disturbed sites.
- Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library
- Vascular Plants of Iowa
Can be found in these counties:
