Edge/ Corn Speedwell

COMMON NAME: Corn Speedwell

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Wall Speedwell

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Veronica arvensis

FAMILY: Scrophulariaceae

COMMUNITY: Edge

STATUS: Naturalized  from Eurasia

LIFESPAN: Annual

HEIGHT: to 1 foot

FLOWERING TIME: April to July

FRUITING TIME: August to September

DISTRIBUTION: Throughout North America ~ Statewide in NJ; a common weed in diverse habitats

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Erect or ascending ~ Leaves hairy, oval to elliptic, palmate ~ Flowers terminal, 4 blue-violet petals

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family (Scrophulariaceae) commonly called the Figwort or Snapdragon Family consists of 224 genera and 4,450 species of herbs and a few shrubs and trees.  Members of this family are cultivated as ornamental including Snapdragons, Slipper-Flowers and the Empress-Tree. The name of this genus (Veronica) has been attributed to Saint Veronica, the woman who wiped Jesus’s face when he fell while carrying the cross on the road to Calvary, and her towel preserved the  image of His face. The name “Speedwell”  is said to be derived from the characteristic of these plants grow by the waysides and quickly spread.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.