Winter Speedwell

Description:

The short-stalked leaves are broadly ovate (1-2 cm), having coarsely serrated margins. V. persica has weak stems that form a dense, prostrate ground cover. Tips of stems are often ascending. Leaves on the lower stems are paired, but are alternate on the upper portion of the stem. The short-petioled leaves are longer than they are broad and coarsely toothed. The flowers (8-11 mm wide) are sky-blue with dark stripes and a white center, and they are zygomorphic (they only have one plane of symmetry, which is vertical). They are solitary on long, slender, hairy stalks in the leaf axils.

Habitat:

Winter speedwell is a flowering plant native of Eurasia. First recorded in Britain in 1825; it is now widespread in the United States. This plant was observed in an open area at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park near Augusta, GA.

Notes:

lthough many species in the genus are used in gardens (V. exalta, V. incana, V. gentianoides, V. longifollia, V. perfoliata, and V. spicata, for example), this species is generally seen as a weed and has no known horticultural uses.