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.

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

Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the sponsors of this web site assume no liability for the suggested use of any chemicals noted in the management section. Contact your local pest management personnel for current information on labeled pesticides that can be used for the intended plant disease, insect pest or weed.

References

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