-E. Taylor
Purslane speedwell image sent in for identification
When we are out in the field taking weed density counts we come across weeds typical to our area and cropping systems such as common lambsquarters, giant foxtail, velvetleaf, common ragweed, etc. When we come across something uncommon or new we get a little excited about identifying it. One such weed that we encounter periodically is purslane speedwell (or when you’re in the field without a good reference book “Mystery weed”). Recently, we had a blog reader from Kansas ask us to identify a weed from photos that turned out to be purslane speedwell, so I thought I would take the time to tell you what is known about this weed…though it is not very much.
Common names: Purslane speedwell, neckweed
Latin name: Veronica peregrina
Lifecycle: annual (occuring as a winter or summer annual it appears)
Distribution: throughout the U.S., likes moist soils
Purslane speedwell leaf
Botanical description*: Fiberous root system, erect stems which are simple or branched below, leaves are opposite, oblong to oblanceolate (0.5-3 cm long and 1-9mm wide), and are usually irregularly toothed, flowers bloom in a terminal inflorescence with bracts similar to the leaves and each floret has very small white corolla, fruit form as capsules.
Links and sources:
- plants.USDA.gov
- Missouriplants.com
- *University of Washington- The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
- Uva, R. H, J. C. Neal, and J. M. DiTomaso. Weeds of the Northeast. Cornell University Press. Ithaca, NY. 1997.
