# American alpine speedwell (*Veronica wormskjoldii*)

The American alpine speedwell is a small, pretty plant that grows in high mountain areas. It has lovely blue flowers that bloom in the summer, making it a delightful sight in nature!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Mountain regions

![American alpine speedwell](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Veronica_wormskjoldii_9875.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Veronica_wormskjoldii_9875.JPG)

## Appearance

The American alpine speedwell has striking deep blue to purplish-blue flowers, each with four petals and often distinct darker veins, clustered at the top of fuzzy stems. Its small, oval, toothed green leaves are arranged opposite along the stem, often appearing low and spreading. It stands out in rocky alpine environments.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Lamiales
- **Family:** Plantaginaceae
- **Genus:** Veronica

## Interesting facts

- Even at over 10,000 feet high, this tough plant can survive frosty nights and strong winds.
- Its tiny blue flowers bloom where few other plants dare, high up in the mountains!
- Look closely! Each tiny flower has four petals, often with stripes to guide hungry bees!
- The plant's name "speedwell" comes from old beliefs it could make sick people "speedily well"!

## Special abilities

- **Mountain Toughness:** American alpine speedwell can grow in harsh mountain environments, surviving cold, high winds, and short seasons.
- **Low Profile Living:** American alpine speedwell has a compact, low-growing form that protects it from strong alpine winds and extreme cold.
- **Fuzzy Protection:** American alpine speedwell has tiny hairs on its leaves and stems that help it retain moisture and protect it from frost.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 5-30 cm
- **Spread:** 10-50 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** [Yellow-faced Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-faced-bumble-bee) (*Bombus vosnesenskii*) — Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.
- **Eaten by:** [Bighorn Sheep](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bighorn-sheep) (*Ovis canadensis*) — Grazes on the plant's leaves and stems.
- **Eaten by:** [Yellow-bellied Marmot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-bellied-marmot) (*Marmota flaviventris*) — Feeds on various alpine plants, including speedwell.

## Traits

- [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
- [Cold Hardy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cold-hardy): Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch wild plants unless an adult says it's safe.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify American alpine speedwell?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is American alpine speedwell?

5-30 cm

### How wide does American alpine speedwell spread?

10-50 cm

### How big are the flowers on American alpine speedwell?

0.5-1 cm

### When does American alpine speedwell bloom?

Summer

### Is American alpine speedwell edible?

No

### Is American alpine speedwell toxic?

None

### What is American alpine speedwell's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Tantalus Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tantalus-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [American alpine speedwell: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-alpine-speedwell)