green field speedwell

Family

Scrophulariaceae

Scientific Name

Veronica agrestis

Synonyms (former Scientific Names):

Pocilla agrestis

Habit

Prostrate annual.

Leaves

Oval or rotund; serrate. Alternate with short petiole. Hairy.

Identifying Characteristics

Low spreading annual with simple, oval leaves that are serrate. Flowers are small and blue (sometimes white). Leaves and stems are hairy.

Flower Seed Head

Flowers are solitary, originating from the axils of the leaves. Flowers occur at the end of long (6-10mm; 0.24-0.4in) pedicels. Flower color is blue and is 4-8mm (0.16-0.3in) wide

Seed Fruit

Fruits have a deep, narrow notch. Fruit is often sparsely hairy.

Where Found

Found throughout the eastern and midwestern US and also parts of eastern Canada.

Growth Habit

prostrate and nonwoody

Thorns or Spines

not present

Approximate Flower Diameter

pencil

Dominant Flower Color

Varies:

white,

blue

Flower Symmetry

bilateral symmetry

Leaf Hairs

has hairs

Leaf Shape

oval

Leaf Arrangement

Varies:

alternate,

opposite

Leaf Margin

serrated

Leaf Structure

simple

Leaf Stalk

shorter than leaf

Stem Hairs

has hairs

Stem Cross Section

round or oval

Milky Sap

not present

Root Structure

Varies:

fibrous,

taproot

Life Cycle

summer annual

Ochrea

not present

Plant Type

Herb