Ontario Weeds: Creeping speedwell
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Excerpt from Publication 505, Ontario Weeds, Order
this publication
Table of Contents
- Name
- Other Names
- Family
- General Description
- Stems and Roots
- Flowers and Fruit
- Habitat
- Similar Species
- Related Links
Name: Creeping speedwell,Veronica filiformis Sm.,
Other Names: véronique filiforme, Veronica
Family: Figwort or Snapdragon Family (Scrophulariaceae)
General Description: Perennial, reproducing by seed and by slender underground rhizomes.
Creeping speedwell.
Stems & Roots: Plant small and delicate; stems slender, creeping, often rooting at the nodes; some branches horizontal and others erect and bearing flowers; leaves small, mostly less than 10mm (2/5in.) across, short-stalked, with a few rounded teeth, opposite (2 per node) on horizontal stems and lower parts of upright stems, but alternate (1 per node) towards the ends of upright stems; alternate leaves bearing flowers and, later, sometimes seedpods in their axils.
Flowers & Fruit: Flowers bluish-white, 4-lobed, about 8mm (1/3in.) across on very slender thread-like stalks 2-3cm (about 1in.) long. Flowers in May and June but rarely produces seedpods.
Habitat: Creeping speedwell occurs in a few localities in southern Ontario in lawns and edges of woods.
Similar Species: It is distinguished by its perennial habit, very slender stems, small leaves and small bluish-white flowers on very slender long stalks.
Related Links
... on general Weed
topics
... on weed identification, order OMAFRA
Publication 505: Ontario Weeds
... on weed control, order OMAFRA
Publication 75: Guide To Weed Control
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