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Small Bugloss

Anchusa arvensis

Photo by Ana Rosa
Published on Project Noah
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37.1041, -7.96419

Field Notes

Description:

Height: 15–40 cm (6–16 in.). Stem branched, roundish–bristly, rough-haired.

Flower: Corolla wheel-shaped–campanulate (bell-shaped), slightly irregular (zygomorphic), 4–6 mm wide, initially red, later light blue, fused, 5-lobed. Calyx-tube same length as calyx, curved, large white protuberances in throat. Calyx fused, campanulate (bell-shaped), 5-lobed from base, densely hairy. Calyx lobes tapered, sharp-tipped. Stamens 5. Gynoecium fused, single-styled. Inflorescence initially dense, later extending into a 1-branched scorpioid cyme, all flowers with subtending bracts.

Leaves: Alternate. Basal leaves stalked, stalks winged, stem leaves stalkless, widely attached. Blade elongated–lanceolate–ovate, shallowly toothed, with crinkled margins, both sides hairy.

Fruit: 4-parted schizocarp. Mericarps elliptic, short-tapered, brown, with granular surface, approx. 3 mm long.

Flowering time: June–August.

Habitat:

Grain fields, gardens, roadsides, waste ground, harbours.

Notes:

Buglossa (Portuguese)

Species ID Suggestions

Small bugloss

Anchusa arvensis

Comments (2)

I've always thought that this plant was a small variety of Veronica/Speedwell, as that's what the flowers look like. However, its leaves are fuzzier and more pointed, like chickweed. Does anyone know the real id?
Photographed
PublishedSeptember 11, 2011

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