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Integrated Crop Management
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Corn speedwell

Corn speedwell                     Veronica arvensis L.

Family:  Plantaginaceae (Formerly in Scrophulariaceae)

Life cycle:  Winter annual

Habitat:   Lawns, no-till fields, waste areas

General description:  Low-growing, ascending stems up to 6” in length.  Leaves on lower part of stem are opposite, egg-shaped, pubescent, with rounded teeth.  Leaves on flowering stem are alternate, narrow and sessile.  Blue flowers produced in leaf axils of terminal portion of stem.  Fruit is a heart-shaped pod.

Key ID traits:  Rounded teeth on lower leaves, heart-shaped seed pod.

Similar species:  Several speedwell (purslane, field, etc.) species are found in Iowa, all with similar growth habits.  The heart-shaped seed capsule is key to identifying plants as speedwells.

prostrate growth habit of corn speedwell
Prostrate growth habit of corn speedwell
heart-shaped capsule characteristic of Veronica spp.
Heart-shaped capsule characteristic of Veronica spp.
narrow, alternate leaves on flowering stems
Narrow, alternate leaves on flowering stems

 

Authored by:
Bob Hartzler
Bob Hartzler
  • Retired Weed Scientist and Professor of Agronomy
Dr. Bob Hartzler is a former professor of agronomy and a former extension weed specialist with a Ph.D. in Crop Physiology from Iowa State University. He conducted research on weed biology and how it impacts the efficacy of weed management programs in corn and soybean. Dr. Hartzler also taught undergraduate classes in weed science and weed identification.
Meaghan Anderson
Meaghan Anderson
  • Field Agronomist in Central Iowa
Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist serving nine counties in central Iowa and an extension specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Areas of expertise include weed management, weed biology, cover crops, corn and soybean management, and integrated pest management.

Meaghan holds a bachelor's degree in agronomy and a master's degree in crop production and physiology (focus: weed science) from Iowa State University.

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