HPIPM:Persian speedwell

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Magnoliophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Superorder	Asteranae
Order	Lamiales
Family	Plantaginaceae
Genus	Veronica

Scientific Name

Veronica persica

Common Name

Persian speedwell

Persian Speedwell (Veronica persica)

Compiled by Andrew Hulting, Oregon State University, and Marjolein Schat, Montana State University, from the following sources:

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/html/pnw/pnw396/

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=VEPE3

Identification and Life Cycle

Persian speedwell is a non native annual in the figwort family (Schrophulariaceae). Other common names for Persian speedwell include birdseye speedwell and winter speedwell. It has prostrate stems with turned-up tips and spreads over the ground to form a dense groundcover, rooting at the lower nodes. The leaves and stems are covered with fine hairs. Leaves are oval to round and coarsely toothed, with short petioles. The lower leaves on the stem are opposite, while the upper leaves are alternate, with a flower in each axil. Flowers are about 1/4 inch wide, blue with deeper blue veins and white centers, and borne on long slender stalks. Fruits are flattened, with a notch at the top, and are surrounded by four persistent sepals. Like other members of the Scrophulariaceae family, speedwell flowers have an irregular corolla. Their corollas are saucer-shaped and are deeply and unequally four-lobed. Persian speedwell has single flowers in each leaf axil on the upper part of the stem.

Habitats

Persian speedwell is found in lawns, cultivated fields and waste places.

Impacts

Persian speedwell can be weedy in small grains and grasses grown for seed.

Biology and Ecology

Persian speedwell reproduces only by seed. Persian speedwell can set seed over a long portion of the growing season and seeds germinate readily when mature. Germination can occur under a wide range of conditions and plants grow rapidly to the flowering stage. Plants are self compatible and are pollinated by a number of insect species. Flowers and seeds tend to form from May through autumn. An individual plant can produce up to 6500 long lived seeds that can remain viable in the soil for up to 30 years.

Biological Control

There are no biological control agents available for Persian speedwell.

Mechanical and Cultural Control

Because Persian and ivyleaf speedwell germinate mostly in the fall and early winter, their populations are reduced by tillage prior to seeding spring-planted crops. Research has shown that the Veronicas are among a number of small-seeded broadleaf weed species whose germination is markedly inhibited by tillage after dark indicating that this species requires light for germination and would be favored by no-till and conservation tillage production systems.

Chemical Control

There are a number of chemical control options available for controlling Persian speedwell in cereal grains and grasses grown for seed.

In the table below are examples of herbicides that can be used to manage Persian speedwell

Consult herbicide labels for additional rate, application, and safety information. Additional herbicide information can be found at http://www.greenbook.net.

Herbicide Active Ingredient trade name	Mode of Action	Product per Acre	Application Time or Growth Stage
Durum and Wampum Variety Spring Wheat
Thifensulfuron, tribenuron, metsufuron	Inhibition of acetolacetate synthase ALS (acetohydroxyacid synthase AHAS)
*Ally Extra		0.2 to 0.4 ounces	Make applications after the crop is tillering but before boot. Applications to durum and wampum varieties should be made in combination with 2,4-D.
Wheat, Barley, and Triticale
Thifensulfuron, tribenuron, metsufuron	Inhibition of acetolacetate synthase ALS (acetohydroxyacid synthase AHAS)
*Ally Extra		0.2 to 0.4 ounces	Make applications after the crop is in the 2-leaf stage, but before the flag leaf is visible. Do not harvest sooner than 45 days after last application of Ally.
Winter Wheat
Chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron	Inhibition of acetolacetate synthase ALS (acetohydroxyacid synthase AHAS)
*Finesse		0.2 – 0.4 ounces	Apply uo to 0.4 ounces preplant or up to 0.3 ounces after planting but before emergence.
metribuzin	Group 5: photosystem II inhibitor
Several trade name products		0.094 to 0.5 lb ai/A	Apply 0.094 to 0.187 lb ai/A in fall after winter wheat has at least two leaves. Apply 0.314 to 0.5 lb ai/A in spring when winter wheat has more than four tillers and secondary roots are more than 1 inch long. If applying metribuzin sequentially, allow at least 45 days between applications. Adding a nonionic surfactant with the fall application usually improves control. Metribuzin applied at 0.28 lb ai/A controls speedwell species. Caution Some winter wheat varieties are sensitive to metribuzin. Do not apply on “Yamhill” wheat. “Hill 81” is less tolerant than “Stephens”. See label for maximum application rate on different soil types. Do not exceed 0.5 lb ai/A/yr.
florasulam + MCPA	(florasulam) Group 2: acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor; (MCPA) Group 4: synthetic auxin
*Orion		0.004 lb ai/A florasulam + 0.31 lb ai/A MCPA or 17 oz./A of Orion	Apply to winter wheat postemergence, from the three-leaf stage up to jointing.Results are best when weeds are young and actively growing. See label for specific crop rotation restrictions. For most crops the plant-back interval is between 3 and 9 months. Do not graze wheat within 7 days of an Orion application, and do not harvest wheat within 60 days of an application.
carfentrazone	Group 14: protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor
*Aim EC		0.008 to 0.031 lb ai/A or 0.5 to 2 oz/A	For emerged winter wheat, use 0.5 to 1 oz/A Aim EC. Use higher rates when treating more mature weeds or dense vegetative growth. Do not exceed 0.031 lb ai/A of Aim per season. Apply to emerged and actively growing weeds. Apply to wheat up to jointing stage. For best performance, apply to weeds up to 4 inches high and rosettes less than 3 inches across.Use with an 80% ai nonionic surfactant at 2 pints/100 gal. Plant registered crops any time after applying Aim, subject to specific crop rotation restrictions on the Aim label. Root and leafy vegetables may be planted 30 days after application, and all other crops 12 mo after application. Crop injury may increase with tank-mixtures; see label for tank-mixing guidelines.
carfentrazone + 2,4-D	(carfentrazone) Group 14: protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor; (2,4-D) Group 4: synthetic auxin
*Rage D-Tech		0.38 to 0.76 lb ai/A or 8 to 16 fl oz/A	Apply from 3-tiller stage to jointing of grain, and when weeds are up to 4 to 6 inches tall.Include a nonionic surfactant at 0.25% v/v (2 pints/100 gal spray solution). A high-quality sprayable liquid nitrogen fertilizer may be used at 2% to 4% v/v or AMS at 2 to 4 lb/A in addition to the nonionic surfactant. Adjuvants other than nonionic surfactants are not recommended. Consult label for more information.
bromoxynil + MCPA	(bromoxynil) Group 6: photosystem II inhibitor; (MCPA) Group 4: synthetic auxin
*Bronate		0.25 to 0.5 lb ai/A bromoxynil + 0.25 to 0.5 lb ae/A MCPA or 1 to 2 pints/A Bronate	Apply to winter wheat after three-leaf stage but before boot stage. Apply to weeds up to the four-leaf stage or 2 inches high. Certain larger weeds may be controlled; see label for size recommendations and application timings. Do not apply when crops are under moisture stress.

The information herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and that listing of commercial products, necessary to this guide, implies no endorsement by the authors or the Extension Services of Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming or Montana. Criticism of products or equipment not listed is neither implied nor intended. Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the Extension Services can assume no liability for the suggested use of chemicals contained herein. Pesticides must be applied legally complying with all label directions and precautions on the pesticide container and any supplemental labeling and rules of state and federal pesticide regulatory agencies. State rules and regulations and special pesticide use allowances may vary from state to state: contact your State Department of Agriculture for the rules, regulations and allowances applicable in your state and locality.

References

For more information and images please visit IPM Bugwood http://www.ipmimages.org/search/action.cfm?q=persian%20speedwell