Common Speedwell, Corn Speedwell, Field Speedwell, Speedwell, Wall Speedwell
Phonetic Spelling:veh-RON-ih-ka ar-VEN-sis
Genus:Veronica
Species:arvensis
Family:Plantaginaceae
Corn speedwell is a winter annual weed characterized by its small, vibrant blue flowers. This plant thrives in sunny spots with poor soil conditions, typically found in disturbed areas that range from moist to dry. It has a low-branching growth habit and propagates primarily through seeds, sometimes creating clusters.
The herb is alterative, antiscorbutic and diuretic. It has been used used for the treatment of scurvy, impurities of the blood etc. It is also used as a remedy for scrofulous affections, especially of the skin, and is bruised and applied externally for healing burns and ulcers.
The flower is a blue-violet to blue corolla with 4 petal-like lobes and 4 hairy green sepals. They bloom near the apex of the stems in mid-spring to mid-summer.
The yellow-green lower leaves are up to 3/8" long and across and are hairy, oval-orbicular, crenate along their margins, and opposite with very short stems. The middle to upper leaves are up to ¼" long, linear-oblong to lanceolate in shape, slightly crenate or smooth, alternate and sessile. They are hairy and yellow-green to green.
The herb is alterative, antiscorbutic and diuretic. It has been used used for the treatment of scurvy, impurities of the blood etc. It is also used as a remedy for scrofulous affections, especially of the skin, and is bruised and applied externally for healing burns and ulcers.
Veronica arvensis: Country Or Region Of Origin
Europe, Asia, Africa
Veronica arvensis: Distribution
Forests, streambanks, prairies, savannas, glades, tops of bluffs, fields, lawns, railroads, roadsides, and open, disturbed areas.
1/8 inch long heart-shaded capsule with numerous yellow seeds.
Veronica arvensis: Fruit Type
Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua
Veronica arvensis Flowers
Veronica arvensis: Flower Description
The flower is a blue-violet to blue corolla with 4 petal-like lobes and 4 hairy green sepals. They bloom near the apex of the stems in mid-spring to mid-summer.
Veronica arvensis: Flower Color
filter_vintage
Blue
filter_vintage
Purple/Lavender
Veronica arvensis: Flower Inflorescence
Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel
Veronica arvensis: Flower Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Veronica arvensis: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Veronica arvensis: Flower Petals
2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals
Veronica arvensis: Flower Shape
Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel
Veronica arvensis: Flower Size
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches
Veronica arvensis Leaves
Veronica arvensis: Leaf Description
The yellow-green lower leaves are up to 3/8" long and across and are hairy, oval-orbicular, crenate along their margins, and opposite with very short stems. The middle to upper leaves are up to ¼" long, linear-oblong to lanceolate in shape, slightly crenate or smooth, alternate and sessile. They are hairy and yellow-green to green.
