Veronica persica

"Notes: Western Ghats, Naturalized, Native of Mediterranean Region"

Bird's Eye Speedwell is one of the larger and more attractive weedy Veronica spp. from Europe. It is distinguished from other weedy species in this genus by its larger flowers (about 1/3" across) and longer pedicels (about 1/2" or longer). Another distinctive trait is the shape of its seed capsules

This adventive annual plant is about 4-12" long, branching occasionally. Mature plants have a tendency to sprawl across the ground. The slender stems are terete and pubescent. The lower leaves are opposite, while the upper leaves are alternate. Individual leaves are typically 1/2" long and 1/3" across; they are medium to dark green, oval-orbicular, coarsely crenate-dentate, and slightly hairy. The petioles of the leaves are short. Solitary flowers develop from the axils of the upper leaves. Each flower is about 1/3" across, consisting of a corolla with 4 petal-like lobes and a calyx with 4 prominent teeth. The corolla is blue-violet, becoming white toward the center; it has dark blue-violet lines that radiate from the center of the flower. One lobe of the corolla is a little smaller than the others. The reproductive organs consist of a pistil with a single style and 2 stamens. The teeth of the green calyx are lanceolate and slightly ciliate; they are shorter than the lobes of the corolla. The pedicels of the flowers are about ½–¾" in length. The blooming period typically occurs from mid-spring to early summer and lasts about 1-2 months. Plants tend to fade away during the heat of the summer. Each flower is replaced by a 2-celled seed capsule that is flattened and slightly heart-shaped; the seed capsule is more wide than tall (about 1/3" across and 1/4" tall). Each cell of the seed capsule contains several small seeds. Individual seeds are ovoid in shape, but strongly concave on one side. The root system consists of a mass of slender fibrous roots. This plant reproduces by reseeding itself, and sometimes forms colonies.

Low spreading annual herb; leaves ovate with strongly serrated margins; flowers blue; fruits with 2 divergent lobes.

"Karnataka: Mysore Tamil Nadu: Dindigul, Nilgiri"

Bird's Eye Speedwell is widely scattered throughout Illinois. Although this species is not particularly common, official records probably underestimate its occurrence within the state. Typical habitats include nurseries, gardens, edges of yards, moist waste areas, and borders of foundation walls. This plant is typically found in areas with a history of disturbance; it is native to Europe.

Mediterranean region.

Europe, north Africa, southwest to central Asia, Japan, north America, New Zealand; probably native to western Asia.

Veronica tournefortii Gmel.:
Venezuela (South America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Veronica persica Poir.:
Afghanistan (Asia)
Argentina (South America)
Canada (North America)
Chile (South America)
Colombia (South America)
Costa Rica (Mesoamerica)
Ecuador (South America)
India (Asia)
Iran (Asia)
Japan (Asia)
Mexico (Mesoamerica)
Panama (Mesoamerica)
Peru (South America)
Pakistan (Asia)
South Korea (Asia)
Sri Lanka (Asia)
United States (North America)
South Africa (Africa & Madagascar)
Bolivia (South America)
China (Asia)
Venezuela (South America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Anhui, Fujian, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Taiwan, W Xinjiang (Yining Xian), E Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [native to SW Asia and since the 19th century spread over most of the world].

A species originally from W. Asia and occurring throughout Europe.

Canada

Origin: Exotic

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

United States

Origin: Exotic

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

Europe, W. & C. Asia, Himalaya, introduced to E. Asia and America.

1500 m

Annuals, sometimes biennials. Stems diffuse, ca. 10-20 cm tall, 20-50 cm, densely pubescent with multicellular hairs often more densely so along 2 lines. Opposite leaves in (2 or)3 or 4(or 5) pairs; petiole 1-8 mm; leaf blade ovate-lanceolate to suborbicular, (6-)10-20(-25) X (5-)8-15(-20) mm, evenly sparsely pubescent on both surfaces, margin flat, obtusely crenate-serrate, 3-6(-10)-toothed per side. Racemes terminal, lax, very long; bracts alternate, leaflike, petiolate, uppermost ones smaller than others. Fruiting pedicel (1.2-)1.5-3(-4) cm, usually longer than bract. Calyx 4-lobed; lobes ovate-lanceolate, 5-8(-10) X 2.5-3.5(-4) mm in fruit, sparsely pubescent, veins 3. Corolla usually blue, rotate, 0.8-1.4 cm in diam., throat sparsely hairy; lobes ovate to orbicular. Stamens slightly shorter than corolla. Capsule obcordate, strongly compressed, 4-6 X 6-9 mm, apically notched at right to obtuse angle; lobes obtuse, glandular hairy, venation conspicuously reticulate. Style 2-3 mm, exserted. Seeds slightly navicular, usually 1.4-2.3 X 0.9-1.6 mm; seed coat deeply rugose dorsally. Fl. Mar-May. 2n = 28.

Bird's Eye Speedwell is widely scattered throughout Illinois. Although this species is not particularly common, official records probably underestimate its occurrence within the state. Typical habitats include nurseries, gardens, edges of yards, moist waste areas, and borders of foundation walls. This plant is typically found in areas with a history of disturbance; it is native to Europe.

Gardens, orchards, fields.

Naturalized in waste fields and roadsides; below 1700 m.

The flowers attract small bees and various flies. The foliage is not known to be toxic and is probably eaten by various mammalian herbivores, particularly rabbits.

Foodplant / spot causer
acervulus of Discogloeum coelomycetous anamorph of Discogloeum veronicae causes spots on live stem of Veronica persica
Remarks: season: 5-9

In Great Britain and/or Ireland:
Foodplant / parasite
sporangium of Peronospora agrestis parasitises live Veronica persica
Remarks: season: 2-4

Foodplant / parasite
sporangium of Peronospora grisea parasitises live Veronica persica
Remarks: season: 4-6

Foodplant / spot causer
colony of Ramularia anamorph of Ramularia veronicae causes spots on live leaf of Veronica persica

Foodplant / parasite
Sphaerotheca fuliginea parasitises live Veronica persica

Rare

Annual.

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Specimens with Barcodes: 9
Species With Barcodes: 1

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable

Rounded Global Status Rank: GNR - Not Yet Ranked

These species are introduced in Switzerland.

Bird's Eye Speedwell prefers partial to full sun, moist conditions, and a rich loamy soil. However, it will adapt to rocky and other kinds of poor soil. Most vegetative growth and development occurs during the cool weather of spring, when moisture amounts are higher than average. Because this species is rather large for an annual Veronica sp., it does not adapt well to regular mowing.