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Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Veronica americana (American speedwell)
Marcus, Joseph A.

Veronica americana Schwein. ex Benth.

American speedwell, American Brooklime

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

USDA Symbol: VEAM2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Erect or leaning, leafy stems have small blue flowers in several open racemes, 1 in each upper leaf axil.

Plants spread from rhizomes shallowly buried in the mud, and can quickly form dense patches in slow-moving or still water. The genus name may commemorate St. Veronica.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf: Green
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue
Bloom Time: Jun

Distribution

USA: AK , AR , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DE , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY
Canada: NB , NL , NS , PE
Native Distribution: Throughout much of Canada and United States, south to Mexico in the West; in East absent from southeasternmost states.
Native Habitat: Wet places.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), SPM (W)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0783 Collected Feb 19, 1994 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Veronica americana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Veronica americana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Veronica americana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-12-09
Research By: TWC Staff

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