Flower ID: IMG_2302.JPG-07-14-2019 Flower name (scientific): Veronica serpyllifolia Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) veh-RON-ih-ka ser-pil-ly-FOH-lee-a Flower name (common): Thyme-leaf Speedwell Family name (common): Plantain Family name (scientific): Plantaginaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Medieval Latin for St. Veronica, who according to legend, wiped the face of Christ on the way to Calvary. Specific epithet: With leaves like Thymus serpyllum (wild thyme). Common name origin: The first part refers to the similarity of the leaf shape with the leaves of wild thyme. The second part is less clear, but possibly referencing the flower’s speedy healing properties. Another suggestion is its ability to spread rapidly in disturbed soils. Flower description: Size: 0.1 to 0.3 inches (0.3 to 0.8 cm) Petal count: 4 Color: white or purple Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: Size: 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is opposite, type is simple Size: Leaves up to about 25 mm long and up to 13 mm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, oblong-lanceolate to ovate (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): May to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Streambanks, forests, woods, meadows, disturbed areas, roadsides, sun or shade, moist. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): The flowers of Veronica officinalis (Common Speedwell) and Veronica catenata (Water Speedwell) are similar. The leaves of V. catenata are oblong-ovate to oblong-lanceolate, and (5-)25-50(-100) x 4-15(-30) mm, 2.5-5 times as long as wide; the leaves of V. officinalis are ovate, ovate-oblong, or obovate and (8-)20-35(-50) x (3-)10-20(-30) mm, 1.5-2 times as long as wide and toothed around the edges; whereas the leaves of V. serpyllifolia are oblong-lanceolate to ovate, 8-25 x 5-13 mm, 1.5-2.5 times as long as wide and lacking teeth around the leaf margins. Ethnobotany: No recorded uses by tribes in the Wisconsin region, but employed by the Cherokee to prepare medicine for treating coughs, boils, and earaches (Moerman, p. 593, 1998). Latitude: 44.795542 Longitude: -91.502040 Altitude: 277.90 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) In Canada: (AB, BC, LB, NB, NF, NS, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Veronica serpyllifolia var. serpyllifolia (The other infraspecifics are Veronica serpyllifolia var. humifusa (Dickson) James Edward Smith, Veronica serpyllifolia var. repens Klett & Richter. The former occurs widely in the US and Canada, the latter has not been recorded in North America.)