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Ivy-leaved Speedwell Veronica hederifolia

Other Common Name(s):

Description

Ivy-leaved Speedwell is a cool-weather annual weed native to Eurasia in the Plantaginaceae (plantain) family.  It grows in the full sun in moist, well-drained soil and can be found in lawns, gardens, roadsides and other disturbed areas. It tends to sprawl and forms low mats. The blue flowers grow in the axils of the green or reddish-brown hairy stems that grow 4-12 inches long. The leaves resemble those of ivy, have hairs and 3-5 shallow lobes. Basal leaves are opposite and become alternate on the flowering stems. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#low growing#blue flowers#hairy leaves#annual weed#roadside#lawn planting#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#low growing#blue flowers#hairy leaves#annual weed#roadside#lawn planting#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Veronica
    Species:
    hederifolia
    Family:
    Plantaginaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe and Central Asia
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Prostrate
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit is a dehiscent capsule that is heart-shaped with a rounded top and surrounded by hair sepals
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Individual flowers are 4-petaled, light blue with darker blue lines and a whitish center up to .4 inches across. Grows from the axils of the leaves. The sepals are green and hairy.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Hairy oval leaves with 3-5 shallow lobes and resemble an ivy leaf. Lower leaves are opposite while stem leaves are opposite. Leaves are up to 3/4 inches wide. Undersides may have some red coloration.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Hairy reddish-brown to green stem up to 24 inches long
  • Landscape:
    Problems:
    Weedy