[Speedwells: The Genus Veronica in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington]

Brightblue Speedwell, Thyme-leaved Speedwell

Veronica serpyllifolia ssp. humifusa

Synonyms: Veronica humifusa, Veronica serpyllifolia var. borealis, Veronica serpyllifolia var. humifusa, Veronica tenella, Veronicastrum serpyllifolium ssp. humifusum

Brightblue Speedwell, Thyme-leaved Speedwell: Veronica serpyllifolia ssp. humifusa (Synonyms: Veronica humifusa, Veronica serpyllifolia var. borealis, Veronica serpyllifolia var. humifusa, Veronica tenella, Veronicastrum serpyllifolium ssp. humifusum)

The photo above shows a close-up view of the pale blue flowers of thyme-leaved speedwell as seen in an upper tributary to Dairy Creek just off Rd K6900 at about 3800' on the southeastern flanks of Mt. Adams...........May 29, 2005.

Brightblue Speedwell, Thyme-leaved Speedwell: Veronica serpyllifolia ssp. humifusa (Synonyms: Veronica humifusa, Veronica serpyllifolia var. borealis, Veronica serpyllifolia var. humifusa, Veronica tenella, Veronicastrum serpyllifolium ssp. humifusum)

The photo above shows a close-up view of the form of thyme-leaved speedwell as seen in an upper tributary to Dairy Creek just off Rd K6900 at about 3800' on the southeastern flanks of Mt. Adams..........May 29, 2005. The lower leaves are more rounded (See below.) while those of the stems are longer and narrower. The lower stem is more prostrate against the ground and roots at the nodes.

Basal leaves of Brightblue Speedwell, Thyme-leaved Speedwell: Veronica serpyllifolia ssp. humifusa (Synonyms: Veronica humifusa, Veronica serpyllifolia var. borealis, Veronica serpyllifolia var. humifusa, Veronica tenella, Veronicastrum serpyllifolium ssp. humifusum)

The photo above shows a close-up view of the rounded, lower leaves of thyme-leaved speedwell as seen in an upper tributary to Dairy Creek just off Rd K6900 at about 3800' on the southeastern flanks of Mt. Adams..........May 29, 2005. This node also bears roots. Note the juvenile aquatic insect atop the node of the leaf at right.

Fruits of Brightblue Speedwell, Thyme-leaved Speedwell: Veronica serpyllifolia ssp. humifusa (Synonyms: Veronica humifusa, Veronica serpyllifolia var. borealis, Veronica serpyllifolia var. humifusa, Veronica tenella, Veronicastrum serpyllifolium ssp. humifusum)

The photo above shows the broad, heart-shaped fruits of thyme-leaved speedwell as seen in an upper tributary to Dairy Creek just off Rd K6900 at about 3800' on the southeastern flanks of Mt. Adams..........May 29, 2005. Note the hairs along the margins of the fruits and the style which is several millimeters long that remains in the notch between the two upper lobes of the fruit.

Inflorescence of Brightblue Speedwell, Thyme-leaved Speedwell: Veronica serpyllifolia ssp. humifusa (Synonyms: Veronica humifusa, Veronica serpyllifolia var. borealis, Veronica serpyllifolia var. humifusa, Veronica tenella, Veronicastrum serpyllifolium ssp. humifusum)

The photo above shows a close-up view of the pale blue flowers of thyme-leaved speedwell as seen in an upper tributary to Dairy Creek just off Rd K6900 at about 3800' on the southeastern flanks of Mt. Adams..........May 29, 2005. Note the small hairs within the inflorescence. These are typically less common or absent on the lower stem that creeps across the ground.

Inflorescence of Brightblue Speedwell, Thyme-leaved Speedwell: Veronica serpyllifolia ssp. humifusa (Synonyms: Veronica humifusa, Veronica serpyllifolia var. borealis, Veronica serpyllifolia var. humifusa, Veronica tenella, Veronicastrum serpyllifolium ssp. humifusum)

The photo above shows a close-up view of the pale blue flowers of thyme-leaved speedwell as seen in an upper tributary to Dairy Creek just off Rd K6900 at about 3800' on the southeastern flanks of Mt. Adams..........May 29, 2005.

Paul Slichter