Veronica Ritteriana, Ritters' Coral Drops

Veronica ritteriana, an uncommon species, is largely restricted to the San Juan and La Plata mountains of southwestern Colorado, plus a few other locations in the state; it is found in meadows, at medium to high elevations, and it blooms relatively early in the season.

Leaves are mainly basal; they are quite thick, hairy on both surfaces, and lined with shallow, rounded teeth. Leaves have a pinnate venation pattern, with between five and 12 pairs of lateral veins. The inflorescence covers up to 5 inches of the upper stem (more during the fruiting stage), and is subtended by a group of ovate or spatulate bracts (up to 40), hairy along the margins. Flowers number 100 or more; they have four hairy, pale green sepals, three or four yellowish-white petals, and two exserted stamens.