The Veronica persica is usually the first wildflowers to bloom in Missouri the in spring. It is a weedy annual native to Eurasia but has naturalized throughout North America. It prefers partial to full sun, moist conditions, and rich loamy soil but is adaptable to poor soil. Most vegetative growth and development occurs during the cool weather of late winter or early spring. It reproduces by seed. It is found in lawns, fields, gardens and other disturbed soil areas.

Mature plants have a tendency to sprawl across the ground. The slender stems are terete and pubescent. The lower leaves are opposite, while the upper leaves are alternate. Individual leaves are up to 1/2" long and 1/3" (8 mm.) across; they are medium to dark green, oval-orbicular, coarsely crenate-dentate, and slightly hairy. The petioles of the leaves are short.

Solitary flowers develop from the axils of the upper leaves. Each flower is about 1/3" (8 mm.) across, consisting of a corolla with 4 petal-like lobes and a calyx with 4 prominent teeth. The corolla is blue-violet, becoming white toward the center; it has dark blue-violet lines that radiate from the center of the flower. The pedicels of the flowers are about ˝” in length. The blooming period typically lasts about a month.

Supposedly, this plant can be put on the list of spring edible plants. Leaves and flowers, both are edible, and can be added to salads, sandwiches, plate decorations. It has detoxifying properties, cleanses the blood and is good for coughs. One of the most noteworthy is its sedative property: it calms the nervous system, alleviating the sensations of nervousness, stress and anxiety.

The ones in my photo were found growing on our property. Unfortunately, their bloom season is short at our house because my husband indiscriminately mows them down… To him, they are just a weed and not a wildflower. However, like some of the other wildflowers I’ve posted (or weeds depending on your POV), some garden centers will sell starter plants of Birdeye Speedwell. The ones in our yard, however, are total naturally occurring. My husband mowed recently; so these wildflowers in our yard are no more.