# Slender speedwell (*Veronica filiformis*)

Slender speedwell is a small, pretty plant with delicate blue flowers. It grows close to the ground and can often be found in gardens and grassy areas, making it a lovely sight in spring.

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

![Slender speedwell](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Slender_Speedwell_%28Veronica_filiformis%29.jpg&width=800)

Photo: AnemoneProjectors, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Slender_Speedwell_%28Veronica_filiformis%29.jpg)

## Appearance

The Slender speedwell is a low-growing plant forming dense mats, recognizable by its bright sky-blue to lilac flowers, each with four petals and delicate darker veins that converge at a tiny white center. Its small, rounded, light green leaves often have slightly scalloped edges.

## Taxonomy

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

## Interesting facts

- Despite its delicate look, it was accidentally brought to many new countries and quickly made itself at home!
- If you look closely, you'll see a tiny white 'eye' at the center of each vibrant blue flower!
- Its scientific name, Veronica, is thought to honor Saint Veronica, a fascinating historical link!
- The tiny blue petals of its flowers are often asymmetric, with one petal noticeably smaller than the others!

## Special abilities

- **Regrowth Rocket:** This plant can sprout new roots and shoots from even small stem fragments, helping it recover and multiply quickly after being mowed or disturbed.
- **Mow-Proof Marvel:** Slender speedwell produces flowers and seeds very close to the ground, allowing it to complete its life cycle and thrive even in frequently mowed lawns.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 2-10 cm
- **Spread:** 30-100 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.5-0.8 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Spring to early summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Gathers nectar and pollen from the flowers.
- **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — Visits flowers for nectar and aids in pollination.
- **Eaten by:** [Garden snail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-snail) (*Helix aspersa*) — Herbivores that may graze on the leaves and stems.

## Traits

- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
- [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [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.
- [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

## Collections

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

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch plants without asking an adult first.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Slender 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 Slender speedwell?

2-10 cm

### How wide does Slender speedwell spread?

30-100 cm

### How big are the flowers on Slender speedwell?

0.5-0.8 cm

### When does Slender speedwell bloom?

Spring to early summer

### Is Slender speedwell edible?

Yes

### Is Slender speedwell toxic?

None

### What is Slender speedwell's lifecycle?

Perennial

## 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: [Slender speedwell: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/slender-speedwell)