thyme-leaved speedwell
ExplorePlants
thyme-leaved speedwell
Veronica serpyllifolia
Thyme-leaved speedwell is a small, lovely plant with tiny blue flowers. It grows close to the ground and can be found in many gardens and fields, making it a cheerful sight in nature.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The thyme-leaved speedwell is a low-growing plant with creeping stems and small, oval, bright green leaves resembling tiny thyme leaves. It has delicate, cup-shaped flowers, usually pale blue to white, often marked with darker blue or purple veins, that bloom from the leaf axils.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyPlantaginaceaeGenusVeronica
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite its small size, a single plant can produce thousands of tiny seeds!
Each tiny speedwell flower remarkably possesses only two stamens!
Its name 'speedwell' might come from how quickly its petals fall off!
Some people once called it 'throatwort' for its traditional use in remedies.
Special abilities
Ability
Rapid Colonizer
Thyme-leaved speedwell can spread quickly using its creeping stems that root where they touch the ground, helping it colonize new areas fast.
Ability
Self-reliant Reproducer
Thyme-leaved speedwell can self-pollinate its tiny flowers, which helps it reproduce successfully even when pollinators are scarce.
Ability
Tough Groundcover
Thyme-leaved speedwell has a tough root system allowing it to grow in poor soils, helping it thrive where other plants struggle.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 5-30 cm
- Spread
- 10-50 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.4 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 its flowers
pollinates
Buff-tailed bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
Visits flowers for nectar and pollen
eats
Red slug
Arion rufus
Feeds on its leaves and stems
parasitizes
Speedwell rust
Puccinia veronicarum
Forms orange-brown spots on its leaves
Traits
Aromatic
Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always check with an adult before touching or picking plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is thyme-leaved speedwell?
5-30 cm
How wide does thyme-leaved speedwell spread?
10-50 cm
How big are the flowers on thyme-leaved speedwell?
0.2-0.4 cm
When does thyme-leaved speedwell bloom?
Spring to early Summer
Is thyme-leaved speedwell edible?
Yes
Is thyme-leaved speedwell toxic?
None
What is thyme-leaved speedwell's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is thyme-leaved speedwell pollinated?
Insect
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