Veronica Species, Corn Speedwell

This is a common winter annual weed. It germinates in fall/winter and grows during the above-freezing intervals. Goes to seed in late spr...Read Moreing, then dies after shedding seed.

It does not form a groundcover.

The flowers are too small to be considered ornamental.

I find that this little weed will outcompete other plants I'm trying to grow from seed unless I faithfully weed it out of the beds in early spring before it goes to seed.

For a weed, it's inconsipicous and pretty. I only really notice these plants growing on bare dusty patches in the yard where there's no grass.

As I have a yard, rather than a lawn, this little weed is just another cheerful addition. Lots of folks who like beautifully groomed ,wee...Read Mored free lawns hate it...but it isn't unattractive when it's mixed in with all the other flora that makes my yard a patchwork of native plants and grasses.

The species name means 'belonging to plowed land' in Latin. It is originally from Europe, and is common in waste places and plowed fields.

The name 'Speedwell' reflects the 'speed' at which these plants can spread.