Persian Speedwell

(Veronica persica)

Persian Speedwell (Veronica persica Poir.)

Alien: Probably native to the Neareast.

Identification: A low, usually crawling, but sometimes slightly erect, plant. Flowers solitary, 8 to 12 mm. in width, arising from the leaf axils. Flower stalks (pedicels) long, flower not sessile to the leaf axil. Flower with 4 petals and 2 spreading stamens. Upper and lateral petals blue with darker blue streaks. Lower petal small and narrower than other petals, mostly white, with a few dark streaks. Sepals shorter than the petals. Stem hairy. Leaves ovate, mostly sessile to the stem, and with coarsely toothed outer margins. Plant 6 to 15 inches in length.

Distribution: Throughout most of North America.

Habitat: Persian Speedwell is a weed found in disturbed habitats such as lawns, fields, empty lots, and roadsides.

Flowering period: May to September.

Similar Species: Field Speedwell is a very similar species. The flowers of Field Speedwell are smaller (5 to 7 mm. in width) and the sepals are longer than the petals. Gray Field Speedwell is an even smaller species (about 5 mm. in width), but the flower is an even pale blue. The leaves are small, and less heavily toothed.