green field speedwell

Veronica agrestis L.

Green field speedwell is a small annual of disturbed ground. The New Zealand flora describes spreading or reclining stems, with plants reaching about ten centimetres high. Its scientific epithet means rural or rustic, an apt reference to a plant often encountered in cultivated soil and other open, disturbed places. Garnock-Jones, 2023, Flora of New Zealand: Veronica agrestis

Botanical name

Veronica agrestis L. is accepted by Kew in Plantaginaceae, matching the catalog name. Kew POWO: Veronica agrestis

Recognizing the plant

The leaves are simple and toothed, with opposite pairs on the vegetative stems and alternate, leaflike bracts among the flowers. Pale corollas spread four unequal lobes; the upper lobe can show blue or pink colouring. After flowering, two rounded capsule lobes stand beside a narrow central notch. Gland-tipped hairs on the fruit and its short style help separate this species from similar small speedwells. Garnock-Jones, 2023, Flora of New Zealand: Veronica agrestis

Bloom window

Switzerland

Flora Helvetica gives a long flowering period, extending from March through October. Info Flora: Veronica agrestis, Flora Helvetica 2018

Native range

Kew places its native range in Macaronesia, Europe and the Mediterranean region. In Switzerland, Flora Helvetica records it in fields and gardens from low hills into mountain country, occasionally reaching the subalpine belt. New Zealand occurrences are introduced. Kew POWO: Veronica agrestis Info Flora: Veronica agrestis, Flora Helvetica 2018 Garnock-Jones, 2023, Flora of New Zealand: Veronica agrestis

Botanical sources

Reviewed 2026-10-11. Seasonal development varies with location and growing conditions.