Bird’s Eye Speedwell, Birdeye Speedwell, Large Field Speedwell, Persian Speedwell, ETC.

Veronica persica

veh-RON-ih-ka  PER-see-kuh

Synonyms of Veronica persica (23) (Updated on 12-21-23 from Plants of the World Online): Cardia filiformis Dulac (1867), Pocilla persica (Poir.) Fourr. (1869), Veronica alpiphila Arv.-Touv. (1871), Veronica areolata Colenso (1891 publ. 1892), Veronica buxbaumii Ten. (1811(nom. illeg.), Veronica buxbaumii var. kochiana Godr. (1843), Veronica byzantina Britton, Sterns & Poggenb. (1888), Veronica cymbalariifolia F.W.Schmidt (1793)(nom. illeg.)Veronica diffusa Raf. (1838), Veronica filiformis DC. (1815)(nom. illeg.), Veronica hospita Mert. & W.D.J.Koch (1823), Veronica meskhetica Kem.-Nath. (1955), Veronica persica var. aschersoniana (E.B.J.Lehm.) Drabble & J.E.Little (1931), Veronica persica var. corrensiana (E.B.J.Lehm.) Stroh (1942), Veronica persica var. minor Sennen & Elías (1930), Veronica precox Raf. (1832), Veronica tournefortii C.C.Gmel. (1805)(nom. illeg.), Veronica tournefortii var. albiflora Bolzon (1895), Veronica tournefortii var. aschersoniana (E.B.J.Lehm.) Hayek & Hegi (1913), Veronica tournefortii subsp. aschersoniana E.B.J.Lehm. (1909), Veronica tournefortii var. corrensiana (E.B.J.Lehm.) Hayek & Hegi (1913), Veronica tournefortii subsp. corrensiana E.B.J.Lehm. (1909), Veronica tournefortii subsp. restrictior P.Fourn. (1933)

Veronica persica Poir. is the accepted scientific name for the Bird’s Eye Speedwell. It was named and described as such by Jean Louis Marie Poiret in Encyclopedie Methodique Botanique in 1808.

The genus, Veronica L., was named and described as such by Carl von Linnaeus in the first volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

As of 12-21-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 461 species in the Veronica genus. It is a member of the plant family Plantaginaceae with 107 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.

The above distribution map for Veronica persica is from Plants of the World Online. Areas in green are where the species is native and purple is where it has been introduced. The map on the USDA Plants Database for the United States and Canada is the same.

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A BETTER POSITIVE ID.

The Veronica persica is usually the first of the wildflowers to bloom here on the farm even before spring officially arrives. They grow in abundance, usually among Lamium amplexicaule and Lamium purpureum, in several areas in the yard. They closely resemble their cousin, Veronica polita, and it is very hard to tell the two apart. To be honest, I’m not 100% sure whether this species is V. persica or V. polita. I uploaded photos on iNaturalist and other members agreed the species was Veronica persica… So, I am sticking with it.

Veronica persica is said to have the largest flowers of any Veronica species found in Missouri.

Veronica persica is a winter or spring annual producing a mass of slender fibrous roots and a slender taproot. According to the Missouri Plants website, this species is uncommon in Missouri, and Illinois Wildflowers indicate it isn’t particularly common there. They go on to say official records probably underestimate its occurrence in the state. Missouri Plants also states, “it seems to pop up sporadically, but not often persisting long term.” I can officially say Veronica persica has been flourishing in the yard north of the driveway since I have been back in 2013 where there are several large colonies. Its cousin, Persicaria peregrina (Purslane Speedwell) grows in the yard and flower bed on the south side of the house. It seems particularly fond of growing around a couple of trees. 

Veronica persica prefers partial to full sun in fairly fertile loamy soil. As I mentioned, it grows in the yard where it gets plenty of sun. Information online says it can be found in lawns, ditches, along roadsides, open disturbed areas, gardens, edges of yards, and similar areas. Since it is a low-growing species, it probably likes areas without taller vegetation. 

Information online says the hairy (pubescent) stems of Veronica persica can grow to around 12” long. The plants remain short here because they are in the yard where it is mowed weekly as soon as the grass starts growing. Stems can be green or purplish in color.

Lower leaves grow in an opposite pattern along the stems while upper leaves seem to be more alternate. The medium to dark green leaves grow at the end of short petioles (leaf stems) or they may be sessile (lacking a petiole). In shape, the leaves are broadly ovate to kind of cordate with rounded tips. The margins of the leaves are kind of scalloped or have blunt teeth. The petioles and leaves are slightly hairy (pubescent).

Some information online says the flowers grow in racemes or along the length of the stems. Others may say they are solitary and grow from the axils of the upper leaves. I will have a closer look…

The flowers are approximately 1/3” across and consist of a corolla with 4 petal-like lobes and a deeply lobed calyx. The corollas are variable in color from near white to darker blue-violet with blue veins. One lobe is smaller and lighter in color while its opposite is darker in color. All of the lobes are white toward the base. The flowers are very interesting and also have one pistol with one style and two stamens. 

Flowers are produced very early in March and last through June. Depending on the weather, flowers can appear in February.

The flowers are pollinated by small bees and flies.

 

I was going to try to get better photos of the fruit in 2021 but time went by and I suppose forgot about it… The fruit of Veronica persica is kind of “heart-shaped”, 3.5 to 4.5 mm wide. The fruit of Veronica polita is also heart-shaped but much smaller at 2.5 to 4.0 mm wide. Some sites state the fruit of V. persica is wider than tall while the fruit of other species is about as tall as it is wide. The fruit of V. polita are also wider than tall…

Two-celled (two locule) fruit replace the flowers that are wider than deep and have persistent styles. Fruits “dehiscing” along the sutures into two valves with several small seeds. 

I have enjoyed photographing and learning about the many wildflowers growing on the family farm and in other areas. The farm is in Windsor, Missouri in Pettis County (Henry County is across the street, and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away). I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 100 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the page). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a few horticulturalists I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be somewhat variable from location to location, so sometimes it gets a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and provide much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF MISSOURI (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF NORTH AMERICA (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD PLANTS
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
DAVE’S GARDEN
MISSOURI PLANTS
MSU-MIDWEST WEEDS AND WILDFLOWERS
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-WEED ID GUIDE
iNATURALIST
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
MINNESOTA WILDFLOWERS
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
GO BOTANY
FLORA FINDER
MARYLAND BIODIVERSITY PROJECT

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and can be hard to keep with. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂