Perennial from the Plantaginaceae family, this veronica is native to Japan, where it grows on rocks and rocky slopes at altitude, particularly in the mountainous regions of Honshu. It remains uncommon in European collections, although appreciated by enthusiasts of Asian alpine plants.
It forms low, spreading clumps, 8 to 12 cm in height, with upright stems at flowering. The leaves are small, oval to oblong, slightly pubescent, cut with crenate or lobed edges, of a medium green, giving the plant a finely textured appearance.
The flowers are among the most remarkable of the genus for their ornamentation. Blue to pale lilac-blue, they bear well-marked dark purple stripes radiating from the center of the corolla, creating a particularly elegant veined effect visible to the naked eye. The stamens with yellow anthers enhance the contrast. They are gathered in elongated, loose spikes that rise above the foliage.
In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from June to August depending on the altitude.
In cultivation, it requires well-drained soil, a sunny to slightly shaded exposure, and protection against stagnant winter moisture. It thrives in rock gardens or alpine troughs, in a moderately fertile gravelly substrate. It easily reseeds itself in the crevices near the mother plant, allowing for new specimens to be obtained quickly without particular intervention.