> Green Field-speedwell (Veronica agrestis)
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Green Field-speedwell: fruit capsule x4
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Green Field-speedwell
Veronica agrestis
IDENTIFICATION:
Green Field-speedwell is a sprawling plant with stems that are softly hairy and much branched. It can sometimes form extensive mats in autumn stubble. The leaves are green, oval in shape with toothed edges, 5-15 mm across and slightly longer than wide. The solitary flowers are borne on stalks in the leaf axils. They are usually approximately 5 mm in diameter and pale blue with a white centre and lower lobe. The fruit capsule is bi-lobed, 3-4mm x 4-6mm, wider than long and with erect, rather than spreading, lobes.Similar species: Common Field-speedwell and Grey Field-speedwell are very similar, with creeping stems that form trailing mats. Common Field-speedwell has larger, 1-3 cm, leaves; larger, 8-12 mm, bright blue flowers on longer stalks; and larger, 4-6 mm x 7-8 mm, spreading fruit lobes. Grey Field-speedwell has intense blue flowers and greyish-green leaves.
Associated uncommon species:
Green Fieldspeedwell can sometimes be found with species such as Corn Marigold and Weasel's-snout.HABITAT:
Arable field margins. SOIL TYPE:
Well-drained sandy loam soils, usually noncalcareous.
DISTRIBUTION:Green Field-speedwell is present throughout Britain to the Shetland Islands, but is most common in the western half of the country. |
LIFE CYCLE:Flowers from June until the stubble is ploughed or until killed by frost. Seed biology is little known. Germination appears to be mainly in the spring. |
REASONS FOR DECLINE:Green Field-speedwell is probably susceptible to many herbicides, and is a non-competitive species that does not grow well in a fullyfertilised modern crop variety. Because it also flowers in stubbles, it has probably been affected by early ploughing. |