FIELD SPEEDWELL

FIELD SPEEDWELL

Veronica polita
FIGWORT FAMILY (Scrophulariaceae)

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This naturalized annual was introduced from Europe. The hairy stems are prostrate and radiate outward to form rounded mats up to 12 inches across (C). The hairy leaves are rotund and scalloped; they are less than 1/2 inch wide and have short stalks. The tiny blue and white flowers are less than 1/4 inch wide with four petals, one smaller than the other three (B). The flower stalks emerge from the leaf axils. Identified by the tiny blue and white flowers and rotund, scalloped leaves. Brooklime Speedwell (Veronica Americana) has similar flowers in clusters, but lance-shaped leaves. Corn Speedwell (Veronica arvensis) has lance-shaped leaves and bracts; it is found at Neale Woods only.

Grows on sunny waste ground, flowering from April through August; specifically on crushed rocks along the railroad tracks. At Fontenelle Forest, locally common where floodplain trails cross the railroad tracks.

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