Marsh Speedwell

(Veronica scutellata)

 

   

 

 

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

 

Marsh Speedwell (Veronica scutellata L.)

Identification: An erect plant. Flowers blue with 4 petals and 2 spreading stamens. Lower petal smaller and narrower than the other 3. Flowers stalks long. Flowers arranged in long, very loose spikes (racemes) from the leaf axils. Stem smooth. Leaves elongate, grasslike. Outer margin smooth or slightly toothed. Plant 0.5 to 2 feet in height.

Distribution: Across Canada from Labrador to British Columbia. Southward in the east to North Carolina and Tennessee, in the west to California and Colorado. Also native to Europe and Asia.

Habitat: Marsh Speedwell is typically found in marshes and swamps.

Flowering period: May to September.

Similar Species: Marsh Speedwell might be confused with Water Speedwell. However the leaves of Water Speedwell are wider and never have toothed outer margins. The flower racemes of Water Speedwell are longer, more closely packed, and contain far more flowers.

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