Thyme-leaf Speedwell

Plant Info

Also known as:
Scientific name:	Veronica serpyllifolia
Family:	Figwort (Scrophulariaceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	Asia
Habitat:	sun, shade; moist woods, grassy places, waste grounds
Bloom season:	spring, summer, sometimes fall
Plant height:	4 to 12 inch creeper
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park

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Detailed Information

Flower:

Flower is 1/8 to ¼ inch across, tubular shaped with 4 white or blueish-white round lobes (petals). The lobe on the bottom is narrower than the other 3. The top lobes are streaked with purple on the inside of the petal. There are 2 stamen coming from the green center.

Leaves:

Leaves are less than 1½ inches long, oval or round, sometimes with scalloped edges over part of or the entire leaf. There is a very short leaf stem. Attachment is opposite, except at the top of the plant where the flowers are alternately attached.

Notes:

There are 2 subspecies of Thyme-leaf Speedwell: a native species with bright blue flowers, and this non-native species with white and purple streaked flowers. This plant is an inconspicuous ground cover and is often hidden in the grass. It is easy to miss unless there is a large patch of it or a speck of white from the flowers catches your eye. When you're out looking for wildflowers, don't forget to look directly down every now and then—you never know what you'll find!

More photos

• a small patch hidden in the grass
• view of plant from ground level, about 3 inches tall

More white wildflowers. Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN, May-June 2007 and May 2008

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Ramsey County, or have any other comments about it?

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Please: Do not ask about where to buy seed or other gardening questions, are plants edible, etc. I am not a horticulturist or botanist, just an enthusiastic hobbyist so I probably don't know the answer. Please check the links page for additional resources. -thanks much

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