Veronica orbiculata Kerner (1874: 19)

Rojas-Andrés, Blanca M. & Martínez-Ortega, Montserrat, 2016, Taxonomic revision of Veronica subsection Pentasepalae (Veronica, Plantaginaceae sensu APG III), Phytotaxa 285 (1), pp. 448-450 : 448-450

7. Veronica orbiculata Kerner (1874: 19) . ( Fig. 12 )

Stems 2–11 (19) cm long, usually ascending, covered by eglandular hairs (0.1) 0.2–0.5 (0.9) mm long, incurvate, appressed and antrorse, commonly arranged in 2 opposite lines along the stem; apical shoot bearing (5) 7–17 (27) pairs of leaves, although frequently alternate or even verticillate by 3. Leaves (4.3) 5.5–20 (26) × (0.8) 1.5–5.5 (12) mm, opposite, sometimes the uppermost subopposite or alternate; the basal ones elliptic, obovate or suborbicular, entire or crenate, sometimes pinnatifid and the abaxial face showing an intense red color; the medium ones narrowly elliptic to elliptic or obovate, pinnatifid to pinnatipartite; sometimes revolute, narrowly cuneate to cuneate or rounded at the base, pilose, covered by hairs 0.1–0.6 (0.7) mm long or subglabrous, bearing some hairs along the margin, sessile to shortly petiolate; apical shoot leaves opposite, alternate or verticillate by 3, the basal ones linear-lanceolate or narrowly elliptic, minutely dentate to pinnatifid, revolute, the upper ones linear to linear-lanceolate, entire, revolute. Racemes axillary, usually solitary (i.e., each pair of leaves bearing one raceme), sometimes 2 opposite or alternate, bearing (15) 20–40 (65) flowers, loosely to densely arranged; peduncles 1.5–10 mm long, covered by an indument similar to that of the stem; bracts 2–8 (10.5) mm long, narrowly elliptic, oblong or linear, entire, sometimes the basal ones with up to 3 lobes or teeth, ciliate or subglabrous, rarely glabrous; pedicels (2.5) 4–8 (12.5) mm long. Calyx (1.8) 2.5–4 (4.5) mm; (4) 5 sepals, ovate to lanceolate, elliptic to narrowly elliptic or narrowly oblong, exceptionally one of them with two lobes, shorter than the capsule, margins sometimes ciliate, pilose or subglabrous, with eglandular hairs. Corolla ca. 10–14 (15) cm in diameter, blue, violet, rarely white. Capsule (3) 3.5–6 (6.4) × (2.7) 3–5.5 (5.9) mm, usually longer than wide, elliptic, widely elliptic to (rarely) oblate, obovate, rounded at the base, emarginate or rounded at apex, sinus up to 0.5 (0.7) mm depth, glabrous. Style 3.5–5 (7.2) mm long. Seeds 1.1–1.9 × 1–1.9 mm, ca. 2–8 per capsule.

Chromosome Number: —2 n = 16, 32.

Habitat: —Dry and stony meadows, rocky places, shrublands, edge forest and forest glades, preferentially on limestones; 0–1,900 m.

Distribution: —W Balkans; SW Bosnia and Herzegovina, S Croatia ( Fig. 13 ).

Phenology: —Flowering from April to June (August).

Specimens Examined: — BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA. Herzegovina-Neretva: dry stony, grassy slope near Mostar, c. 150 m, 12 June 1962, B. E. E. Duyfjes, R. Hengeveld & C. W. van der Voet 634 (B100327443); dry stony, grassy slope near Mostar, c. 150 m, 12 June 1962, B. E. E. Duyfjes, R. Hengeveld & C. W. van der Voet 635 (B100327444); Hercegovina, in saxosis pr. cast. Ruiste, loco Draga dicto, September 1912, Vandas s.n. (PR); Hercegovina, Mostar , m. Hum, ad 90 m, 27 April 1910, Sagorsky s.n. (W); Vojno (mad Porim), May 1895, Vandas s.n. (PR); Porim Planina, in saxosis cacareis copiose, August 1889, Vandas s.n. (PR); In graminosis alpinae mont Porim supra castellum Ruiste, prope Mostar, c. 1500 m, August 1889, Vandas s.n. (W); Hercegovina, montes Prenj in rupibus calc. supra vicum Glogosnica, ca. 1400 m, 10 July 1933, Sillinger & Deyl s.n. ( PRC); Hercegovina, montes Prenj prope vicum Glogosnica in declivibus saxosis et silvaticis montis, maly Prenj, ca. 1400 m, July 1933, Sillinger & Deyl s.n. (PR); Hum, Mostar, illegible collector (W); Radovolje, Mostar, illegible collector (W); Mostar in regione alpina mt. Veler, 8 June 1886, Bornmüller s.n. (W); Podveles, Mostar, illegible collector (W); Prenj Planina bei Kongica (Hercegovina), 1000 m, 1891, ¿Sündasmann? s.n. (K); ¿Padovis?, Mostar, illegible collector (W); Hercegobina, Mostar an grasigen Abhängen der S?lolar, 200 m, 10 May 1895, Raap s.n. (K); Bosna- Hercegovina, dry stony grassy slope near Mostar, 150 m, 12 June 1962, Duyfjes, Hengeveld & van der Voet s.n. (B); Hercegovina, Zitomislic südlich von Mostar in lichten Wäldern, ca. 80 m, 18 May 1906, Janchen s.n. (WU); Wess Veles, Mostar, illegible collector (W); Mostar, en la subida al monte Hum, junto a la carretera, prados calizos

38 • Phytotaxa 285 (1) © 2016 Magnolia Press

ROJAS-ANDRÉS & MARTÍNEZ-ORTEGA secos, 220 m, 43º19'38.2''N, 17º47'57.8''E, 11 July 2010, S. Andrés , X. Giráldez , M. M. Martínez Ortega & B. Rojas Andrés BR100 (SALA149336); Municipality of Gacko: Hercegovina, zwischen Korita und Stepen S Gacko, Kalk, ca. 900 m, 10–24 June 1978, Polatschek s.n. (W, WU); Hercegovina, Medena glava supra vicum Pridvorice, pr. cast. Brujae, September 1912, Vandas s.n. (PR); Hercegovina, strasse v. Vileca nach Gacko, zw. Plana und Dubrava, kalk, 16 June 1965, Ehrendorfer s.n. (WU); Municipality of Nevesinje: Hercegovina, Nevesinje, Nevesinsko polje, 15–1600 m, 14–28 June 1911, Sagorski s.n. (PR); Hercegovina, Nevesinje, Nevesinsko polje, 850–950 m, 14–28 June 1911, Sagorski s.n. (PR); Hercegovina, bei Odzak im Nevesinjsko polje, 870–900 m, anfang August 1905, Janchen s.n. (WU); Municipality of Trebinje: Herceg. centr., (two illegible words) pr. Orien, July 1891, Vandas s.n. (PR); West Herzegovina: Ljubuški, prados sobre calizas, 169 m, 43º12'46.4''N, 17º32'00.3''E, 11 July 2010, S. Andrés , X. Giráldez , M. M. Martínez Ortega & B. Rojas Andrés BR98 (SALA149353); Ljubuški, prados sobre calizas, 169 m, 43.21289ºN, 17.53342ºE, 15 June 2015, M. Martínez Ortega, X. Giráldez, N. Padilla & N. López NLG 145 (SALA157034); unknown canton/municipality: Hercegovina, unknown collector (K); Hercegovina centralis, Slitar Pl. , June 1890, Begovic s.n. (PR).

CROATIA. Dubrovnik-Neretva: Sabioncello [= Orebić], Dalmatien, Wiese bei Trpanj , Kreidekalk , 15 m, 18 June 1928, H. V. Berg-Wien s.n. ( B100325983 ) ; Mt. Vipera auf Peljesac (Dalmatian), 28 April 37, E. Kracht s.n. ( B100325906 ) ; Adriagebiet (Primorje): H. J. Peljesac ( Sabioncello [= Orebić ]), am Wege von Trstenik nach Pijavicino , Kalk , c. 200 m, 11 May 1931, Jul. Baumgartner s.n. ( LD1336485 ) ; Near the top of the hill Lapad Peninsula Split, machie above Dubrovnik , 19 May 1935, unknown collector ( BM); (illegible group of words) bei ¿ Raguse ?, 27 April 1937, Engelhardt s.n. ( B) ; Dubrovnik, Offene Stellen in der Macchie von Lapad , 10 May 1937, Fiedler s.n. ( B) ; Dalmatien Ragusa [= Dubrovnik], 2 May 1904, Sterneck s.n. ( PRC) ; Dalmatien, östl. Umg. v. Dubrovnik, abzweigung d. Strasse nach Trevinje (ca. 150 m) u. Aufstieg z. Festung auf d. Berg nördl. d, Strassenkreuzung , illyr., Felsheiden zw. Pinus halepensis bzw. Macchien-fragmenten , Kalk , 16 July 1965, Ehrendorfer s.n. ( WU) ; Dalmatia in loc. saxosis ad Fort Imperial supr. (illegible word), May 1872, Pichler s.n. ( WU) ; Lapad Peninsula , warm sunny places on hill-side, 19 April 1935, Turrill & Jackson s.n. ( K) ; Monte Petka bei Gravosa , 21 May 1905, Kindt s.n. ( WU) ; Dalmatien , Umgebung von Ragusa [= Dubrovnik], 22 June 1886, Adamovic s.n. ( WU) ; Ragusa [= Dubrovnik], Dalmatia , 24 May 1905, Crawford s.n. ( E) ; Monte Petka bei Gravosa,

TAXONOMIC REVISION OF VERONICA SUBSECTION PENTASEPALAE

Phytotaxa 285 (1) © 2016 Magnolia Press • 39 21 May 1910, Ronniger s.n. (W); Halbinsel Peljesac, an der Strasse zw. Ston und Orebic, ca 5 Km östlich von Orebic, öffene Macchia mit Felsheide da zwischen, Kalk, ca. 200 m, 14 June 1965, Ehrendorfer s.n. (WU); Halbinsel Peljesac, ca. 11 km östlich von Orebic, offener Pinus nigra Bestand mit Felsheide dazwischen, Kalk, ca. 250–270 m, 15 June 1965, Ehrendorfer s.n. (WU); Dalmatien, Orebic, 17 April 1930, Ronniger s.n. (W); Dalmatia, ad Malfi pr. Gravosa, May 1898, Rudolph s.n. ( PRC); Península de Peljesak, entre Trstenik y Pijavičino, zonas rocosas calizas, aclaradas entre la garriga, 400 m, 42º56'14.2''N, 17º22'39.5''E, 14 July 2010, S. Andrés , X. Giráldez , M. M. Martínez Ortega & B. Rojas Andrés BR110 (SALA149294); Split-Dalmatia: Near Makarska, May 1935, Gilliat-Smith s.n. (K); Biokovo supra Makarska, in graminosis lapidosis, solo calcareo, 1100 m.s.m., 30 June 1958, E. Mayer s.n. (B100325984); Dalmatien, Biokovo, 1300 m, June 1911, Teyber s.n. (WU); Biokovo Planina, südlich der Lokalität Kuranik, ca. 1500 m, 15 June 1908, Janchen s.n. (WU); Adriagebiet, Primorje, ¿viternika lerdo öste u. d. Stadt Avar (Lesina), kalk, 3–400 m, 5 May 1931, J. Baumgaten s.n. (W); Bei 800 m auf dem Matokit bei Vergorae, Dalmatien, 22 May 1902, Preissecker s.n. (WU); In monte Biokovo (supra Makarska), 21 June 1886, J. Bornmüller s.n. (B100327441); Makarska, entre Omis y Makarska, Brela, cruce a Gornja Brela, prados secos sobre calizas, 301 m, 43º24'13.8''N, 16º53'37.1''E, 10 July 2010, S. Andrés , X. Giráldez , M. M. Martínez Ortega & B. Rojas Andrés MO5537 (SALA149337); Brela, extremo NW del macizo de Biokovo, entre Omis y Makarska en la desviación hacia Imotski, prados calizos pedregosos y secos, 19 June 2001, M. Martínez Ortega MO1416 (SALA124585); Makarska, Osejava cape, en pinar, suelo arenoso, ca. 10 m, 20 June 2001, M. M. Martínez Ortega & M. E. Solic MO1437 (SALA124586); Makarska, entre Tucepi y G. Igrane, paso de la carretera en el macizo de Biokovo, prados calizos pedregosos y secos, 20 June 2001, M. M. Martínez Ortega MO1433 (SALA124587); Makarska, entre Omis y Makarska Brela, cruce a Grnja Brela, prados secos sobre calizas, 300 m, 43.40383ºN, 16.89364ºE, 15 June 2015, M. M. Martínez Ortega, X. Giráldez, N. Padilla & N. López NLG 143 (SALA157033); Prapatnice, subida a Matokit, prados secos sobre calizas, 261 m, 43º13'16.1''N, 17º21'35.0''E, 10 July 2010, S. Andrés , X. Giráldez , M. M. Martínez Ortega & B. Rojas Andrés MO5547 (SALA149295).

DUBIOUS OR UNKNOWN LOCATION.¿ Blagoj?, illegible collector ( W) ; dalmatiner Reise (illegible group of words), April 1897, Sterneck s.n. ( PRC); Gor ?a orientalis, illegible collector ( W) ; in rupibus calcareis in “macchia” prope opp. Novi Bar, culta in horto e sem., July 1930, Dostál s.n. ( PRC); In saxosis m. ¿ Sasica ? supra Kanina distr. ¿ Valema?, 1892, Baldacci s.n. ( WU) ; ¿ Kosovo? Nord Albanien, umgebung von Les, Kalkabhänge westlich oberhalb Les, Anf., October 1916, Janchen s.n. ( WU) ; June, unknown collector ( B100327440 ) .

Material provisionally assigned to V. orbiculata : — CROATIA. Split-Dalmatia: Split, Klis, Markezina Greda, hacia Sv. Jure, Prados calizos secos, 559 m, 43º34'01.3''N, 16º28'58.0''E, 09 July 2010, S. Andrés , X. Giráldez , M. M. Martínez Ortega & B. Rojas Andrés SA 365 ( SALA 149341); Split, Klis, Markezina Greda, hacia Sv. Jure, prados rocosos calizos, 553 m, 43.56849ºN, 16.48284ºE, 14 June 2015, M. Martínez Ortega, X. Giraldez, N. Padilla & N. López NPG 46 ( SALA 157054).

Figures

FIGURE 12. Veronica orbiculata (a, c–h. Croatia, Split-Dalmatia, Mt. Matokit, Martínez-Ortega et al. MO5547, SALA149295; b, i– m, q–r. Croatia, Split-Dalmatia, Biokovo, Brela, M. Martínez-Ortega MO1416, SALA124585; n–p. Croatia, Split-Dalmatia, Biokovo, Brela, M. Martínez-Ortega et al. MO5537, SALA149337): a, b. Habit; c. Stem indument; d. Basal leaf (adaxial face); e. Basal leaf (abaxial face); f. Detail of a basal leaf (abaxial face); g. Medium leaf (adaxial face); h. Medium leaf (abaxial face); i, k. Basal leaf of the apical shoot (abaxial face); j. Detail of a basal leaf of the apical shoot (abaxial face); l. Upper leaf of the apical shoot (adaxial face); m. Upper leaf of the apical shoot (abaxial face); n. Detail of a fruiting raceme; o, q. Bract; p, r. Capsule and calyx. Illustration by Juan Castillo.

FIGURE 13. Distribution map of V. orbiculata based on herbarium specimens (black circles) and collected material (open circles).