Veronica (plant) - Weed

Weed

Several species of speedwell invade lawns. Some of the more common of these are Persian Speedwell (Veronica persica), Creeping Speedwell, Corn Speedwell (Veronica arvensis), Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys), and Ivy-leaved Speedwell (Veronica hederifolia). It is often difficult to tell one species from another. A comparison photo of three of the common weed species is here. There are five-to-seven species of speedwell in Michigan alone that are easily confused.

The turf-invading speedwell species have a fine, fibrous root system, bright green roundish, oval, or heart-shaped leaves with scalloped edges. The leaves are often tiny, with some being under 1/4 inch long, the flowers are typically very small and are blue or bluish-white in color. In all the weed species but one, the leaves are alternate near the end of (flowering) stems, but the leaves are opposite near the base.

Because most varieties are somewhat resistant to the selective herbicides such as 2,4-D amine and they all prefer thinning (and often shady or moist) turf, a recommended method of control to improve turf growing conditions. Having fine fibrous roots, they are not difficult to individually pull from wet soil, taking care to remove the entire stem and any branches. Pre-emergent herbicides are usually effective against the seeding, non-creeping annual varieties. If one can precisely identify the species of both weed and turf, often an effective selective combination or triple herbicide can be found. The common non-selective herbicides are also very effective, but kill lawns and turf.