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Weed Identification

Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Science Virginia Cooperative Extension

Persian speedwell

Family

Scrophulariaceae

Scientific Name

Veronica persica
Weed photograph 1
Weed photograph 2
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Other Common Names:

birdseye speedwell

Synonyms (former Scientific Names):

Pocilla persica
Veronica buxbaumbii

Habit

A low growing (2 to 6 in usually but up to 14 in) succulent plant with ascending branched stems that radiate from the base of the plant. Seeds typically germinate in fall and seedlings branch at the base quickly forming a dense mat. Most flowers are produced in late spring but flowering continues into August.

Leaves

Seedling leaves are opposite, have sparse hairs, usually oval in shape, and have edges with pointed or rounded teeth. Upper leaves on flowering stalks are alternate, do not have petioles (leaf stalks), and tend to be the same size and shape as lower leaves.

Identifying Characteristics

Upper and lower leaves are the same size and shape. Fruit is a heart shaped capsule. Flowers are tiny and borne on long stalks.

Flower Seed Head

Flowers are tiny (4 to 11 mm wide) and borne on long stalks ( 2 mm) arising from the leaf axils on the upper portion of the erect flowering stem. Flowers are pale blue to white.

Seed Fruit

Fruit is a small (5 to 8 mm long) heart-shaped hairy capsule. It is deeply notched on the top and rounded or pointed on the opposite end (point of attachment). Arising from the notched end is a short ( 1 mm long) style. The length of this style helps characterize different species of speedwell.

Where Found

Plants grow in lawns, ornamental areas, and winter grain crops. You can also find the plants in open waste places or home gardens but they do not thrive in areas where regular spring tillage is practiced. Plants may be found in many conditions but are best adapted to dry or sandy soils and shady lawns.

Growth Habit

Varies: 
upright and nonwoody, 
prostrate and nonwoody

Thorns or Spines

not present

Approximate Flower Diameter

Varies: 
pencil, 
dime

Dominant Flower Color

Varies: 
white, 
blue, 
purple

Flower Symmetry

bilateral symmetry

Leaf Hairs

has hairs

Leaf Shape

oval

Leaf Arrangement

Varies: 
alternate, 
opposite

Leaf Margin

serrated

Leaf Structure

simple

Leaf Stalk

Varies: 
none, 
shorter than leaf

Stem Hairs

has hairs

Stem Cross Section

round or oval

Milky Sap

not present

Root Structure

fibrous

Life Cycle

winter annual

Ochrea

not present

Plant Type

Herb