Birdeye speedwell Veronica persica

Features

It was brought to Europe sometime in the early 19th century. from the area of present-day Iran, former Persia (name!). It begins to bloom very early in the year and blooms until late autumn or even winter. As an attractive species, it was cultivated in gardens from where it later spread into nature and naturalized.

Species	Annuals (Therophyta)
Living space	Field, Meadow
Size	3-15 cm

Description

Veronica persica is an annual or winter annual herb that reproduces from seed. Its cotyledons are triangular with truncated bases. The short-stalked leaves are broadly ovate with coarsely serrated margins, and measure one to two centimetres long. The leaves are paired on the lower stem and are alternately arranged on the upper parts. The plant has weak stems that form a dense, prostrate groundcover. The tips of stems often grow upright. The flowers are roughly one centimetre wide and are sky-blue with dark stripes and white centers. They are zygomorphic, having only one vertical plane of symmetry. They are solitary on long, slender, hairy stalks in the leaf axils. The seeds are transversely rugose and measure between one and two millimetres long. There are five to 10 seeds per locule in the fruit. Veronica persica can be distinguished from similar species by its heart-shaped fruit with two widely-separated lobes.