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Native Plant Database

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Veronica serpyllifolia (Thymeleaf speedwell)
Weyand, Phyllis

Veronica serpyllifolia L.

Thymeleaf speedwell, Thyme-leaf Speedwell

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

USDA Symbol: vese

USDA Native Status: Native and Introduced

A mat-forming plant bearing short, erect, narrow clusters of white or pale blue flowers with darker stripes arising from creeping stems.

This small plant, naturalized from Europe, is often found in lawns. Its leaves resemble those of thyme, hence its common name. The variety humifusa, a North American native found from Ontario east to Newfoundland and south to Massachusetts and Minnesota, is distinguished by its bright blue flowers. The genus name is thought to be derived from the Latin vera (true) and the Greek eicon (image), alluding to the legend that the true image of Christ was received by Saint Veronica, for whom the genus was named.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Blue
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AK , AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DC , DE , GA , HI , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SC , TN , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY
Canada: NB , NS
Native Distribution: Alberta and Saskatchewan; Ontario to Newfoundland, south to Georgia, west to Arkansas, north to Kansas and North Dakota.
Native Habitat: Roadsides, meadows, damp open woods, and lawns.
USDA Native Status: L48(NI), AK(NI), HI(I), CAN(NI), GL(I), SPM(I)

Growing Conditions

Soil Moisture: Moist

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2011-01-10
Research By: TWC Staff

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