Veronica allionii

This species of speedwell is endemic to the Western Alps and, within the Gran Paradiso National Park, it is found only in the Rhêmes Valley on the Aosta Valley side, and in Ceresole Reale on the Piedmont side. It grows in dry pastures on siliceous soils at altitudes ranging from 1,400 to 2,900 metres. Veronica allionii is a strictly protected species in the Aosta Valley.

The plant is recognisable by the prostrate habit of its stem, which is woody at the base, ascending and glabrous. It has small leaves with an oval blade, somewhat leathery in texture, folded along the midrib. The inflorescences are small, comprising 30–60 blue-violet flowers, which can be seen between July and August.

An edible plant with medicinal properties, it is traditionally used by mountain communities as an alternative to tea. The specific name derives from that of the famous Piedmontese botanist Carlo Allioni (1728–1804), director of the ‘Regio Orto Botanico’ in Turin, who was among the first to adopt the nomenclature system devised by Linnaeus and was therefore nicknamed the ‘Piedmontese Linnaeus’.