Veronica allionii

This small speedwell is endemic to the Occidental Alps. In the Grand Paradiso Park, it is only found in Val di Rhêmes (on the Aoste Valley side) and in Ceresole Reale (on the Piedmonts side). It is ealisy recognizable : it has creep stems, with a lignified base, from which emerge linear bunches of dark purple flowers with an elegant vertical shape. The leaves are coriaceous, slightly serrated and folded along the midrib.

The Alpine speedwell is used as an alternative to tea, and so-called “mountain tea”.