Biological Name:
Veronica persica (Persian-Speedwell)
Natural Habitat:
Persian Speedwell: This plant is native to Europe and can be found in a variety of habitats including meadows, fields, and roadsides.
Description:
Persian speedwell is a type of flowering plant that is commonly found in fields and other grassy areas. It is a member of the Plantaginaceae family which also includes plants such as snapdragons and foxgloves. Persian speedwell is an annual or perennial plant that produces small blue or purple flowers and clusters of seeds. The plant is often used as a cover crop to improve soil health and suppress weeds. It is also known for its ability to tolerate a wide range of growing conditions including wet or dry soils. In some areas Persian speedwell is considered a weed because of its ability to invade cultivated areas and cause allergies and other health problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is Persian speedwell invasive?
A: It is a weedy plant, although it apparently is not invasive enough to be restricted in any state. See Speedwell identification for more information on my identification process for this species.
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Q: Should speedwell be cut back in the fall?
A: Speedwell (Veronica spicata) As blooms fade in fall, this perennial can be cut back to the ground. If left until spring, the black foliage will uglify your gardens. Speedwell grows best in USDA zones 3 through 8.
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Q: Is speedwell a good ground cover?
A: This is a vigorous, fast-growing species that thrive in difficult climates. The ground-hugging stems of round, glossy evergreen leaves, root as they creep across the garden, creating a thick green carpet. Veronica liwanensis (Turkish Speedwell) can be used like thyme to create a ground cover “lawn””.”
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Q: How do I get rid of Persian speedwell?
A: Careful hand pulling is the most effective way to eradicate this wildflower from your lawn. Hand pulling: Rake over the area around each speedwell plant to pull up the runners and roots, making it easier to remove them completely.
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Q: How do I get rid of speedwell in my yard?
A: Prevalence of corn speedwell can be reduced by increasing turf density through nitrogen fertilization, regular mowing, and the use of turfgrasses well-adapted to site conditions. This weed can be suppressed or controlled with various preemergence and postemergence herbicides.
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Q: Is Persian speedwell edible?
A: Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule), Purple Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) and Persian Speedwell (Veronica persica) are somewhat similar in appearance to Ground Ivy, but none of them have creeping stems that root at the nodes. Of these four all but the Persian Speedwell are edible.
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Q: What is speedwell good for?
A: Speedwell is commonly used to treat coughs and other respiratory diseases. It is also appropriate for inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and rheumatism, digestive problems like diarrhea, and a gargle to treat sore throat.
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Q: Is speedwell poisonous to humans?
A: Is Veronica ‘Marietta’ poisonous? Veronica ‘Marietta’ has no toxic effects reported.
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Q: Are speedwell plants poisonous to dogs?
A: According to gardening expert Bryan McKenzie of The Bumper Crop Times, speedwell is edible for humans and pets, but eating too much may cause vomiting.
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Q: Should I pull speedwell?
A: Even a single piece of root system can lead to new plants, making pulling speedwell from the lawn a bad idea. Often, speedwell spreads into a lawn from greenhouses and landscape beds because it is sold as an ornamental ground cover by nurseries and landscapers.
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Q: What is the difference between speedwell and Veronica?
A: Veronica, also called Speedwell, is a carefree and easy-to-grow perennial with long spikes of small petals in purple, blue, pink, or white. Here’s how to grow veronica in your garden! This attractive plant grows in clusters from 1 to 3 feet tall, and blooms from spring to autumn.
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Q: Do speedwell plants spread?
A: Speedwell most commonly grows as an upright, spreading plant with small clusters of petals formed on tall spikes. These plants grow 1 to 3 feet tall and come in purple, blue, pink or white.
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Q: Why is it called speedwell?
A: The leaves of Germander Speedwell have been used in the past to make an expectorant tea for treating bronchial congestion and asthema. The common name Speedwell may be a reference to the claimed rapid effectiveness of this plant when used as a medication.
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Q: Does speedwell plant spread?
A: Speedwell most commonly grows as an upright, spreading plant with small clusters of petals formed on tall spikes. These plants grow 1 to 3 feet tall and come in purple, blue, pink or white.
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Q: Is speedwell a problem?
A: It is often a problem weed in lawns during spring and summer. Common speedwell (Figure 1) is distinguished by its very slender stems, small leaves and small bluish-white flowers. The stems are almost horizontal, much branched, hairy and root at the nodes (a). The leaves are small (1.0 to 2.4 in.
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Q: Is speedwell easy to grow?
A: Veronica, also called Speedwell, is a carefree and easy-to-grow perennial with long spikes of small petals in purple, blue, pink, or white.
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Q: Do you cut back speedwell for the winter?
A: Cutting Back Speedwell For Winter Pruning should be done either in the fall or early in the spring, depending on your hardiness zone. At the lower end of its growing range, you should cut back the top growth as it begins to die back in the fall. Cut down foliage on stems to within 2 inches of the soil.
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Q: Where does speedwell grow best?
A: Veronica speedwell thrives in conditions as wide ranging as full sun to partial shade and in loamy, sandy, or clay-dense soils. However, it does prefer a sunny location with well-draining soil. The soil pH can be as liberal as neutral, alkaline, or acidic with moisture content from average to quite moist.
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