VERONICA officinalis.
Common Speedwell,
DIANDRIA Monogynia.
G en. C har. Cor. inferior, o f i petal, 4-cleft, wheel-
fhaped; lower divifion narroweft. Cap/. 2-celled,
Spe c. C har. Spikes lateral, on ftalks. Leaves oppo-
fite, rough. Stem procumbent.
Syn . Veronica officinalis. Linn. Sp. P I. 14. Sm. FI.
B rit. 16 . Hudf. 4. W ith. 13. Hull. 4. Relh. 4.
Sibth. 4 . Hbbot. a. Curt. Land. fa fc. 3. t. 1,
Woodv. Suppl. t. 219. Dickf. H. Sicc. fa fc. 13. 3,
V . mas, fupina et vulgatiffima. Ran Syn. 281.
P " i L E N T I F U L on dry fandy banks, or in woods and
heathy places, flowering in May and June.
The roots are fibrous and perennial. Stems a little woody,
proftrate, a foot or more in length, fet with numerous, oppofite,
elliptical, blunt Or pointed, ferrated leaves, which are rough
on both fides, like the Item, with fhort fpreading hairs, that
appear under a magnifier to be finely jointed. The fpikes of
flowers ftand folitary, on long ftalks, from the bofoms of the
uppermoft leaves, and rife above the termination of the ftem j
indeed they generally ftand ereft, making almoft a right angle
with it as it lies on the ground. Calyx hairy, in 4 almoft equal,
elliptical, but narrow, fegments. Corolla blue, with darker
veins. Capfule obcordate, a little hairy, confifting o f 2 valves.
This Veronica was formerly much recommended to be ufed
inftead of the Chinefe Tea, particularly in Sweden. Some have
contended that it was the very fame plant, brought with fo
much trouble and expence from China. Thofe who adulterate
tea, however, know better than to mix any of this herb with
it, whofe appearance and flavour would foon betray it to our-
more refined taftes. It is aftringent, with fome degree of acrimony,
and a rather unpleafant bitter,