American alpine speedwell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids American alpine speedwell |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Veronica
|
| Species: |
wormskjoldii
|
Veronica wormskjoldii, also known as the American alpine speedwell, is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the plantain family. This plant grows naturally across a large part of northern and western North America. You can find it in places like the western United States and northern Canada. It likes to grow in damp, cool mountain areas, often under trees in forests. It can even be found in very cold, subarctic regions, stretching all the way from Alaska to Greenland.
About the American Alpine Speedwell
This plant is a type of herb that lives for many years. It grows from underground stems called rhizomes. Its main stem can be anywhere from 25 to 40 centimeters tall. It can grow straight up or spread out along the ground. The stem usually does not have branches and is covered in long hairs.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the American alpine speedwell grow in pairs on opposite sides of the stem. They are about 2 to 4 centimeters long. They don't have a small stalk (called a petiole) connecting them to the stem.
The flowers grow in a cluster at the very top of the stem. This cluster is shaped like a spike. It is also hairy and a bit sticky. Each flower has small, hairy, spear-shaped leaves called sepals. The petals form a blue cup-like shape that can be up to one centimeter wide.
Fruits and Seeds
After the flower blooms, a small fruit forms. It is a capsule, which is like a small pod, about half a centimeter long. Inside this capsule, you will find tiny, flat seeds.
