Purslane Speedwell

Figwort or Snapdragon family (Scrophulariaceae family):

Veronica peregrina L.

EPPO code:

VERPG

Other names:

Neckweed

Species information

Lifecycle:

Annual, winter annual.

Propagation:

Reproduces by seed only.

Emergence:

Seed germinates in the fall and in early spring.

Habitat:

Purslane speedwell is most commonly found in fall/winter cereals and turf grass. It is rarely found in spring-planted field crops because primary tillage or pre-plant burn down removes young seedlings.

Competitiveness:

Purslane speedwell is not considered a strong competitor and does not interfere with harvesting because it grows low to the ground and is often done flowering and producing seed by early summer.

Identification clues

Seedling

Cotyledons:

Oblong to ovate.

First leaves:

Purslane speedwell’s first leaves are opposite and oblong. They have smooth or irregularly-toothed margins, are hairless and have a fleshy texture.

Mature leaves:

The mature upper leaves of purslane speedwell are alternately oriented on the stem, and smaller and narrower than the lower leaves. Each upper leaf has a small, white flower in its axil on a short stalk.

Mature plant

Stems:

The plant’s stem grows erect or branched from the base. The stalk may be smooth or have fine sticky hairs that give it a fleshy texture.

Flowers:

Generally, purslane speedwell flowers in the spring to early summer and then again in the fall. Each plant has numerous small, white, four-lobed flowers on short stalks. The seed pods are heart shaped and hairless.

Seeds:

Each heart-shaped seed pod contains several yellowish/orange seeds that are roughly 0.5 mm in size.

Roots:

Fibrous, shallow root system.

Often mistaken for

I know it's not Bird’s-eye speedwell because purslane speedwell is hairless and has white flowers, whereas bird’s-eye speedwell is hairy with light blue flowers.

I know it's not Common speedwell because the leaves below purslane speedwell’s flowers are alternate and hairless, whereas common speedwell’s are opposite and hairy.

I know it's not Corn speedwell because the leaves and stems of purslane speedwell are smooth and hairless compared to the hairy leaves and stems of corn speedwell.