Purslane Speedwell (Veronica peregrina)

Veronica peregrina
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Plantaginaceae
Genus:	Veronica
Species:	V. peregrina
Binomial name
Veronica peregrina L.

Veronica peregrina is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family known by several common names including neckweed, American speedwell, purslane speedwell and hairy purslane speedwell. It is native to the Americas, and is known on other continents as an introduced species and a common weed. It can be weedy in its native range as well, growing on roadsides, on fields, and in other disturbed habitat. It is an annual herb growing from a taproot. The two subspecies are defined generally on the basis of hairiness: ssp. xalapensis is coated in glandular hairs and ssp. peregrina is a hairless variety. The plant produces erect stems up to about 30 cm (12 in) tall. The leaves vary in shape from linear to lance-shaped to spoon-shaped with smooth or serrated edges; the lower leaves are borne on petioles. The inflorescence is a loose terminal raceme of flowers and lance-shaped bracts. The flowers are generally white and 2 to 3 mm (3⁄32 to 1⁄8 in) wide.

Veronica peregrina was given its scientific name in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus. It part of the genus Veronica, which is classified in the Plantaginaceae family. It has no accepted subspecies but has two among its 21 synonyms.^[1]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Veronica peregrina.

• Fermanagh Species Account - Biological account from Farmanagh, Ireland
• Jepson Manual Treatment: ssp. xalapensis
• Missouri Plants Photo Profile Archived 2008-04-12 at the Wayback Machine
• Washington Burke Museum
• Photo gallery

This Plantaginaceae article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information.

• v
• t
• e