Question: I'm having a hard time identifying this plant found on the rivers edge (in the floodplain area) in Orono, Penobscot …
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Question
I'm having a hard time identifying this plant found on the rivers edge (in the floodplain area) in Orono, Penobscot County, Maine. The flowers are on a slender spike. They seem to be irregular, but could be 4 petals. The leaves are coarsely toothed, lance shaped, and alternate. I have tried Newcomb's but came to a deadend; clearly not doing something right. Thanks.
Answer
Dear GMartha, good morning. You have photographed what appears to be Veronica longifolia (long-leaved speedwell), a species that is frequently cultivated and sometimes escapes into the surrounding landscape. This genus has four petals, the upper is slightly larger than the lower one, so the flowers are just barely zygomorphic (i.e., bilaterally symmetrical). Best wishes.
