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Veronica serpyllifolia

This image depicts the flowering Veronica serpyllifolia

Introduction

Veronica serpyllifolia, the thyme-leaved speedwell or thymeleaf speedwell, is a perennial flowering plant in the plantain family. It can be found on most continents.

Image shows first growth from a seedling

Taxonomy

Classification
Kingdom	Plantae - Plants
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta - Vascular plants
Superdivision	Spermatophyta - Seed plants
Division	Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class	Magnoliopsida - Dicotyledons
Subclass	Asteridae
Order	Scrophulariales
Family	Scrophulariaceae - Figwort family
Genus	Veronica L. - speedwellP
Species	Veronica serpyllifolia L. - thymeleaf speedwellP

Distribution

Image depicts the how Veronica serpyllifolia can grow in mats

Veronica serpyllifolia L. is known as a weed that grows in North America. As of 2010, it is known to grow in 37 of the US states. This species is native to Europe but later was introduced to America and New Zealand. It is a weed that grows in many different areas. They grow well in open grass lands and cultivated lands. It is commonly known as thyme-leaf speedwell. It also grows well in lighter soils. Veronica serpyllifolia grows best in places where it can receive a good amount of sunlight and also be shaded at times. It also grows best in a more moist environment during the spring season.

Uses

Thyme-leaf speedwell can be consumed by humans. Both the flowers and leaves can be eaten raw. Leaves have a dull peppery flavor. It has a high concentration of vitamin C. It can be grown as a potherb, suitable for culinary use.

Ecology

Pollinators include both flies and bees. They obtain the nectars from the flowers when they are in bloom. The seeds can latch onto the wings of birds or the fur of some animals. Veronica serpyllifolia grows in patches and is commonly recognized as a weed and found among turf grass. People who like to keep their yard free of weeds find this plant to be a problem. The best way to remove them is by mowing and watering lawns properly. This hinders the weeds ability grow. Seed dispersal helps this plant spread. Many Veronica serpyllifolia seeds were found in cattle dung. The cattle dung increases cover and dispersal of the plant.

Description

Veronica serpyllifolia L. initially grows low to the ground then will start to grow upright. The flowers are small and are white with dark purple marks towards the center. The leaves are oval, borne on creeping stems. Roots grow from leaf axils. The prostrate stems bear erect flowering branches up to 20 cm high. The leaves are opposite on short stalks. The flowers are in racemes with a corolla 6 mm across and pale blue in color. As a seedling, the leaves around the seed are spoon shaped. The first leaves that grow do not have a stalk, they are hairless and have a smooth edge. This is when the leaves begin to grow opposite from each other. Their stems grow from nodes on the roots, allowing it to grow in thick mats close to the ground. The lower leaves are oval and have smooth edges and grow opposite along the stem. The higher leaves are oval but smaller than the lower leaves. The lower leaves have relatively short stalks, while the higher or upper leaves are stalkless. They have four petals and grow from the leaf axils. The fruits are capsules that replace the flowers after blooming. The fruits are obcordate or heart shaped and mostly flattened. Capsules are small and have a pubescent outer layer with a notched tip. Veronica sepyllifolia capsules are roughly 2.5-3.5mm long. Once the capsules are mature, they open up to release many small seeds. Their root systems are both fibrous and rhizomatous. The fruit is lined with hairs and the seeds on the inside of the capsule are also flattened. This plant can be hard to spot as it is relatively small and grows in patches which can be covered by grass. They are more noticeable when they bloom and the flowers can be spotted. The plant reproduces either by dropping its seeds or by rooting stems.

Phenology

Grows best during moist spring seasons. Typically through the months of April-August. The warmer temperatures promote the growth of the flowers. Early spring mornings with dew on the ground provide a good moist environment for the plants. They can be found along river banks, meadows, and forests among other grasses. They can grow in elevations up to 3300 m.

Weed Control

The use of herbicide is recommended for the complete removal of this species from a yard or a lawn. Picking the weed and pulling the roots out can work but this risks the further dispersal of seeds on the lawn. One study showed that wiping herbicides onto the plant rather than spraying it helps to better remove of the species. It stated that wiping method worked better and the spray on method caused harm to other grasses surrounding the weeds. Veronica serpyllifolia seems to be harder to control as compared to other Verinica species. The use of the herbicide, dacthal, resulted in a higher percentage of control on Veronica seroyllifolia. The application of this herbicide over the course of three months completely removed the plant.

Pronunciation

veh-RON-ih-ka ser-pil-ly-FOH-lee-a

Synonyms

Symbol	Scientific Name
VESE3	Veronicastrum serpyllifolium (L.) Fourr.
VESEN	Veronica serpyllifolia L. var. nummularioides Lecoq & Lamotte

Wetland Regions

Veronica serpyllifolia is able to grow in both wetlands and non-wetlands.

Region	Status
Alaska	OBL
Arid West	FAC
Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain	FAC
Eastern Mountains and Piedmont	FAC
Great Plains	OBL
Hawaii	FAC
Midwest	FACW
Northcentral & Northeast	FAC
Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast	FAC