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Veronica plebeia

R.Br. (1810)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Asterids Order: Lamiales Family: Plantaginaceae Genus: Veronica

common speedwell, trailing speedwell

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Perennial herbs.

Stems: Stems procumbent and sometimes rooting at the nodes, (1–)2–5 dm long, puberulent, rarely sparsely so, usually also sparsely hirsute at the nodes.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite, inflorescence Alternate. Blades broadly ovate to ovate–deltate, 8–25(–50) mm long, 6–23 mm wide. Upper surfaces sparsely puberulent; lower surfaces sparsely puberulent at least on the veins, sometimes also sparsely hirsute on the nerves, base of blade, or petioles. Margins irregularly coarsely toothed, the teeth acute. Petioles 3–15 mm long. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers usually 6–14 in open, axillary racemes. Flowers bisexual (perfect); Pedicels 5–15 mm long, bracteoles elliptic to oblanceolate, ca. 3–4 mm long. Calyx lobes foliaceous, obovate, 3–4 mm long, enlarging up to 6 mm long in fruit, margins puberulent and sometimes also short–hirsute, apex mucronulate. Corolla blue, ca. 3.5 mm long. Stamens 2. Ovary superior, 2-carpellate, with as many cells; ovule placentation axile; stigma capitate.

Fruit: Capsules broadly obovoid to subglobose; compressed; 3–3.6 mm long; 3–3.8 mm wide; margins sparsely puberulent; apex scarcely notched. Seeds ca. 16 per cell; narrowly obovate; angular; ca. 1 mm long.

Ploidy: 2n = 34

Habitat: Dry to wet areas such as pastures or disturbed areas in mesic forest.

Elevation Range: 860–2,520 m.

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
Maui Not in flora
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean

Vegetative Reproduction

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland.: 435 (1810)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1250 (M, H); Brock et al. 2023:136 (K); Faccenda, Arthur, et al. 2025:202 (remove M [no evidence of nat.])

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Veronica plebeia Puuwaawaa, North Kona Preserved_Specimen Escape or wild weed. Rock, J.F.C. 13017 Hawaii BISH 1917-08-01
2 Veronica plebeia Kipuka Puaulu Preserved_Specimen Flowers pale blue, 4 mm. long. Not uncommon. Nagata, K.M. 3541 Hawaii BISH 1986-06-22
3 Veronica plebeia Southwest flank of Mauna Loa, in the apupuaa of Kapua Closed Metrosideros, Myrsine and Acacia forest, understory consisting of Athyrium and Dryopteris Preserved_Specimen flowers blue Higashino, P.K. 6111 Hawaii BISH 1977-07-13
4 Veronica plebeia Hawaii National Park, end of Mauna Loa Truck Trail, in corral Preserved_Specimen Fagerlund, G.O. 440 Hawaii BISH 1943-03-03
5 Veronica plebeia Hualalai, summit Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Hawaii BISH 1934-06-19
6 Veronica plebeia Kohala Mts., upper Hamakua Ditch at end of access road above Waikoloa reservoirs #1 & 2 Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5531 Hawaii BISH 1985-06-23
7 Veronica plebeia Hawaii National Park, Mauna Loa, end of Truck Trail, in corral Preserved_Specimen Fagerlund, G.O. 439 Hawaii BISH 1943-03-03
8 Veronica plebeia Nukaiau Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 350 Hawaii BISH 1913-12-01
9 Veronica plebeia Kona, Keauhou No. 1, along new Bishop Estate road and in open parklands Preserved_Specimen Christ, J.H. Hawaii BISH 1958-05-15
10 Veronica plebeia Brown's Ranch Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. Hawaii BISH
11 Veronica plebeia Kilauea, Kipuka Puaulu Preserved_Specimen Meebold, A. Hawaii BISH 1932-05-01
12 Veronica plebeia Humuula, southwest side of cinder cone Preserved_Specimen Cowan, R.S. Hawaii BISH 1946-12-26
13 Veronica plebeia Kaumalumalu; first transect above upper gate; parallel to and +/- 100' S of jeep road open Metrosideros stand (trees +/- 75' tall, average); Cassia laevigata, Pipturus, Rubus hawaiensis, Ilex, Myrsine Preserved_Specimen fern, bryophyte, shrub Herbst, D.R. 1738 Hawaii BISH 1970-07-09
14 Veronica plebeia Waimea District. Several patches growing as a weed in disturbed areas around cabin, fence posts and in pasture. Growing in moist, distrubed soil in full sun or shade. Preserved_Specimen Trailing herb, less than 15 cm tall, forming a dense, weedy mat; leaves medium green, somewhat shiny; petals lilac colored, paler near petal bases and 3-4 darker striations running lengthwise; stigma bright magenta; ovary yellow green; fruits maturing within persistent calyx, green, turning straw colored with maturity. Brock, K. 1025 Kauai BISH 2016-01-23
15 Veronica plebeia Above Puuwaawaa, Huehue trail lava fields Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 3710 Hawaii BISH 1909-07-07
16 Veronica plebeia Mauna Loa Strip Road ca. 2.2 mi from intersection with Kona-Hilo Hwy; or up Mauna Loa Strip Road ca. 200 m. from parking circle at Kipuka Puaulu. Plant was ca. 30 m. 20 degrees north of road (plot 19) Acacia-Sapindus savanna community. Preserved_Specimen Herb, creeper. Newell, C.L. 151 Hawaii BISH 1966-07-26
17 Veronica plebeia along Kipuka Puaulu trail, by no. 8 signpost Under large tree, in shady conditions. Preserved_Specimen Small trailing herb. Flowers mauve. Common. Herat, T. 544 Hawaii BISH 1974-06-12
18 Veronica plebeia Kilauea. Kau. Hawaii National Park. Bird Park Under trees Preserved_Specimen Prostrate. Flowers light blue Hosaka, E.Y. 1420 Hawaii BISH 1936-07-03
19 Veronica plebeia 5.3 mi up Keauhou Ranch Road (near Kilauea Military Camp). Mileage was from first gate to green water tank (landmark) at left of road. This locality is approximately north of Kipuka Puaulu Acacia-Metrosideros grazing savanna community. Preserved_Specimen Herb ca. 6 in. tall; fruit bilocular. Newell, C.L. 809 Hawaii BISH 1967-01-22
20 Veronica plebeia Outside Hilo, Hakalau NWR, Hawaii Growing at base of Ohia tree (Metrosideros sp), in a meadow land in the Pua Akala Section. Preserved_Specimen Imada, C. 2005233 Hawaii BISH 2005-11-13
21 Veronica plebeia Keauhou Ranch (T-KB), Kau district disturbed closed Metrosideros forest Preserved_Specimen trailing herb on forest floor, flowers light violet ESP Field Crew 46 Hawaii BISH 1979-09-08
22 Veronica plebeia Kikiaeae, Keolokekua, S. Kona closed pasture Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 1501 Hawaii BISH 1936-08-15
23 Veronica plebeia Parker Ranch, Kaala Wet pasture. Preserved_Specimen Ewart III, G.R. 282 Hawaii BISH 1932-06-16
24 Veronica plebeia Hawaii National Park, Puu Laau Plant frequent in grass cover. Preserved_Specimen Flowers blue. Fagerlund, G.O. 536 Hawaii BISH 1943-04-19
25 Veronica plebeia Puuwaawaa, N. Kona, Hualalai moist pasture under trees Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 1617 Hawaii BISH 1936-09-17
26 Veronica plebeia Mauna Loa Strip Road ca. 2.5 mi from intersection with Kona-Hilo Hwy; or ca. 100 m. (northeast) uphill from 4000 ft. elevation sign at right side of road; or ca. 1 mi past Kipuka Puaulu (plot 20) Acacia-Sapindus savanna community. Preserved_Specimen Herb, creeping. Newell, C.L. 176 Hawaii BISH 1966-07-27
27 Veronica plebeia Puu Mala, S Kohala. Kohala Forest Reserve Sparingly naturalized at edge of forest. Rainforest of Metrosideros-Cheirodendron-Cibotium. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 4303 Hawaii BISH 1994-03-26
28 Veronica plebeia Kau District, Keauhou Ranch, near powerline trail Growing in open Metrosideros scrub on pahoehoe substrate. Preserved_Specimen Prostrate spreading herb. Flowers violet. Cuddihy, L.W. 170 Hawaii BISH 1980-01-31
29 Veronica plebeia Kau Distr., Kapapala ahupuaa, Tr 86(18), S slopes of Mauna Loa,through Kipuka Maunai Dry mixed grass-native shrub community with scattered koa, mamane, and other native trees. Preserved_Specimen Stemmermann, R.L. 3822 Hawaii BISH 1979-06-05
30 Veronica plebeia Kiilae, S.Kona pahoehoe rock among mosses Preserved_Specimen creeping Hosaka, E.Y. 1520 Hawaii BISH 1936-08-21
31 Veronica plebeia Mauna Loa Strip Road ca. 2.5 mi from intersection with Kona-Hilo Hwy; or ca. 100 m. (northeast) uphill from 4000 ft. elevation sign at right side of road; or ca. 1 mi past Kipuka Puaulu (plot 19) Acacia-Sapindus savanna community. Preserved_Specimen Herb, creeping. Newell, C.L. 164 Hawaii BISH 1966-07-27
32 Veronica plebeia Puuwaawaa pasture Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. Hawaii BISH
33 Veronica plebeia Kipuka, Puamela moderate forest Preserved_Specimen Morley, H. Hawaii BISH 1935-07-20
34 Veronica plebeia Waimea District. Kokee. Off of camp 10 road, between Elekeniui stream and Kawaikoi campground. Growing in dense shade under mixed Metrosideros forest next to cleared, open area. Apparently naturalized. Preserved_Specimen Trailing herb, less than 15 cm. tall, forming a loose mat around the base of a tree; leaves medium green, somewhat shiny; no flowers present; fruit developing within a persistent calyx, calyx and fruit turning reddish or straw colored as it matures. Brock, K. 931 Kauai BISH 2016-11-21
35 Veronica plebeia Puu Laau, M. Kea Inside deer pen Preserved_Specimen Lamoureux, C.H. 4351 Hawaii BISH 1969-08-14
36 Veronica plebeia 17 miles along main road from Kohala towrd Waimea naturalized in ranch pasture Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 2234 Hawaii BISH 1926-08-14
37 Veronica plebeia Kona, Kikiaeae koa grassland Preserved_Specimen Christ, J.H. Hawaii BISH 1958-05-16
38 Veronica plebeia Upper Paauhau, Waimea, Hamakua Preserved_Specimen abundant, freely branching prostrate herb. Hosaka, E.Y. 2205 Hawaii BISH 1938-06-03
39 Veronica plebeia Kealapuali, Kona Distr Preserved_Specimen Flower blue. Forbes, C.N. 229 Hawaii BISH 1911-06-21
40 Veronica plebeia Along main road 17 mi from Kohala toward Waimea Ranch pasture. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 30453 Hawaii BISH 1926-08-14
41 Veronica plebeia Kaalapuuwale [Kealapuali, Kona Distr Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 229 Hawaii BISH 1911-06-21
42 Veronica plebeia Kealapuali Preserved_Specimen decumbent Forbes, C.N. 221222 Hawaii BISH 1911-06-21
43 Veronica plebeia Piihonua; Hilo Forest Reserve, near Site 22 OS Open healthy forest; assoc. spp.: Metrosideros polymorpha, Ilex anomala, Gouldia sp., Pelea clusiifolia, Cheirodendron trigynum, Myrsine lessertiana, Freycinetia arborea, Alyxia oliviformis. Soil a deep moderately well drained ash. Preserved_Specimen Adee, K.T. Hawaii BISH 1979-06-16
44 Veronica plebeia Kau Distr., Kilauea Forest Reserve, close to IBP study site Preserved_Specimen Herb. Flowers blue. Common. Herat, T. 970 Hawaii BISH 1974-07-08
45 Veronica plebeia Piihonua; Hilo Forest Reserve, near Site 22 OS Open healthy forest; assoc. spp.: Metrosideros polymorpha, Ilex anomala, Gouldia sp., Pelea clusiifolia, Cheirodendron trigynum, Myrsine lessertiana, Freycinetia arborea, Alyxia oliviformis. Soil a deep moderately well drained ash. Preserved_Specimen Adee, K.T. Hawaii BISH 1978-09-18
46 Veronica plebeia Waikii, waikoloa, South Kohala Preserved_Specimen Common, prostrate vine. Hosaka, E.Y. 2291 Hawaii BISH 1938-06-10
47 Veronica plebeia Hawaii National Park, Bird Park Preserved_Specimen Flowers blue. Fagerlund, G.O. 35 Hawaii BISH 1942-09-12
48 Veronica plebeia Kohala Mts., Upper Hamakua Ditch Trail, along ditch bank Preserved_Specimen Flowers blue Fosberg, F.R. 10231 Hawaii BISH 1933-09-03
49 Veronica plebeia Mauna Loa; IBSS Keauhou Ranch Preserved_Specimen Flowers blue. Adee, K.T. Hawaii BISH
50 Veronica plebeia Umikoa, Kukaiau Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 251 Hawaii BISH 1913-12-01
51 Veronica plebeia Loaloa, near Humuula Preserved_Specimen Usinger, R.L. 693 Hawaii BISH 1935-08-07
52 Veronica plebeia Near Parker Ranch barn on S side of Kamawela Town Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. 254 Hawaii BISH 1985-03-16
53 Veronica plebeia Kaalapuuwale [Kealapuali Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 222 Hawaii BISH 1911-06-21
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