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Lebsack, Tom

Veronica serpyllifolia

Veronica serpyllifolia L.

Thymeleaf Speedwell, Thyme-leaf Speedwell

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: VESE

USDA Native Status: L48 (NI), AK (NI), HI (I), CAN (NI), GL (I), SPM (I)

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, one variety 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

12 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Stems ascending, up to about 30 inches long.

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.

Growing Conditions

Soil Moisture: Moist

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FAC	OBL	FAC		FAC	OBL	FAC	FACW	FAC	FAC

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

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: 2025-03-31
Research By: TWC Staff

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