Veronica filiformis

Thread - speedwell ( Veronica filiformis )

The thread - speedwell ( Veronica filiformis ) is a flowering plant in the family of the plantain family ( Plantaginaceae ). In Central Europe it is one of the neophytes.

Description

The thread speedwell is a grassy growing and hairy, perennial herbaceous plant. The prostrate stems may reach a length up to 50 centimeters. They are thin and stringy take root at the nodes.

The leaves are petiolate. The lamina has a length of up to 15 mm on a round shape. To non- flowering stems they are opposite, on the other hand, flowering stems alternate.

Since the bracts of the flowers are shaped like the leaves, it appears as the flowers would individually are in the leaf axils. The flower stems are relatively long. The corolla is spread out flat. Three of the four petals are pale blue and have darker streaks. The fourth petal, however, is usually white to pale bluish. The flowers contain only two stamens, occasionally occur on flowers with one or three stamens. The flowering period is from March to June.

The capsule fruit is 4-5 mm long and as wide. It is found in Europe, however, very rare ( see below; ecology).

Ecology

The thread speedwell is a Chamaephyt and Hemikryptophyt with filiform, densely the floor resting, up to 50 cm long Kriechsprossen. The plant is spring green that is, the leaves are no longer available in the summer. Because of this and because of the low growth and the short and early flowering time is often overlooked in the very popular and eye-catching way.

The thread speedwell is self-sterile, which means he has to rely on the cross-pollination of other genotypes. However, since most populations each consist of only one genotype, it does not come to fruit set with us.

Vegetative propagation is done by torn and bewurzelnde stem segments. For the spread of lawn mowing should play an essential role.

Occurrence

The original distribution area of ​​the filament honor price is the Caucasus and northern Anatolia. In the 1900s, he was introduced as an ornamental plant in Central Europe and is regarded as naturalized since 1930. The thread Speedwell has run wild as so-called garden refugee in many places. It is therefore one in Central Europe to the so-called invasive species.

The thread speedwell flowers on hay meadows, pastures, park lawn, along roads and in gardens. He prefers fresh, nutrient-rich, lime-free, rich, sandy or loamy soils. The Kriechpionier is a light partial shade plant and a little warmth. In Meadows, the species is very vigorous and therefore is also known as meadow pest. The thread Speedwell is the characteristic species of perennial ryegrass comb grass pasture ( Lolio perennis - Cynosuretum cristati ).