Gray Field Speedwell

(Veronica polita)

Gray Field Speedwell (Veronica polita Fries)

Alien: Native of Europe and Asia.

Identification: A low, usually crawling, but sometimes slightly erect, plant. Flowers solitary, 5 mm. in width, arising from the leaf axils. Flower stalks (pedicels) long, flower not sessile to the leaf axil. Flower with 4 petals and 2 spreading stamens. All petals pale blue with dull, darker streaks. Lower petal small and narrower than other petals. Sepals shorter than the petals. Stem hairy. Leaves ovate, mostly sessile to the stem, and with only 2 or 3 coarse teeth, usually near the leaf base.

Distribution: Found locally throughout eastern North America. Also occurs in scattered localities in the central and western United States.

Habitat: Gray Field Speedwell is a weed found in disturbed habitats such as lawns, paths, roadsides, and fields.

Flowering period: May to September.

Similar Species: Gray Field Speedwell is one of a number of superfically similar species. Such as Persian Speedwell and Field Speedwell. The flower is a uniform pale blue, and does not exceed 5 mm. in width. The leaves are ovate, but have only a few basal teeth. The leaves of the other two species are coarsely toothed along the entire outer margin.