Skip navigation

Weed Identification

Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Science Virginia Cooperative Extension

corn speedwell

Family

Scrophulariaceae

Scientific Name

Veronica arvensis
Weed photograph 1
Weed photograph 2
Weed photograph 3
Weed photograph 4
Weed photograph 5
Weed photograph 6

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 rounded teeth. Upper leaves on flowering stalks are alternate, do not have petioles (leaf stalks), and tend to be more narrow with fewer teeth and sparsely hairy.

Identifying Characteristics

Upper leaves are smaller and more narrow than lower leaves and lack stalks. Fruit is flat and heart shaped. Flowers are tiny and borne on extremely short stalks.

Flower Seed Head

Flowers are tiny (2 to 4 mm wide) and found nestled in the leaf axils on the upper portion of the erect flowering stem. Flowers are pale blue to white and borne on short ( 1 mm) stalks.

Seed Fruit

Fruit is a small (5 to 8 mm long) heart-shaped hairy pod. 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. Each pod of corn speedwell contains between 14 and 20 tiny yellow seed.

Where Found

Corn speedwell grows in lawns, ornamental areas, and winter grain crops. You can also find the plants in open waste places or home gardens but corn speedwell does 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

pencil

Dominant Flower Color

Varies: 
white, 
blue, 
purple

Flower Symmetry

bilateral symmetry

Leaf Hairs

has hairs

Leaf Shape

Varies: 
lance, 
oval

Leaf Arrangement

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

Varies: 
fibrous, 
taproot

Life Cycle

winter annual

Ochrea

not present

Plant Type

Herb