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How to Manage Pests

Identification: Weed Photo Gallery

Thymeleaf speedwell

Scientific name:Veronica serpyllifolia (Figwort Family: Scrophulariaceae)

Life stages of buckhorn plantain Seedling

Click on image to enlarge

DESCRIPTION:
Thymeleaf speedwell is a perennial broadleaf weed. Its stems are mostly creeping and root at joints giving it the ability to grow into dense mats. It is found in wastelands, fertile fields, gardens, and lawns. Its cotyledons (seed leaves) are spoon to egg-shaped. The first true leaves are opposite along the stem, stalkless, hairless, and have a smooth margin. Older leaves can be more egg to narrowly football-shaped and have toothed margins. Lower leaves have a smooth or fine-toothed margins, are opposite along the stem, oval to roundish in shape, and borne on short stalks. Upper leaves are alternate, stalkless, and smaller than the lower leaves, and oval to elliptic in shape.

The four-petaled flowers of thymeleaf speedwell, borne on stalks, are pale blue-white with darker blue stripes. Seed pods are heart shaped, smooth, and have a notched top.

It reproduces by seed and rooting stems.

Broadleaf ID illustration.


Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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For noncommercial purposes only, any Web site may link directly to this page. FOR ALL OTHER USES or more information, read Legal Notices. Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual solutions to specific pest problems. See How to manage pests, or in the U.S., contact your local Cooperative Extension office for assistance. /PMG/WEEDS/thymeleaf_speedwell.html revised: November 17, 2008. Contact webmaster.