Veronica hederifolia
Ivy-leaved speedwell
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Veronica hederifolia (Ivy-leaved speedwell) is a non-native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by annual with (3)5-lobed, ivy-like round-ovate leaves & long pedicels; only lobed-leaf speedwell of the foothills.
Ivy-leaved speedwell is a non-native annual found in the Cascade Range Foothills, Sierra Nevada Foothills, Great Valley, and San Francisco Bay Area bioregions, uncommon in disturbed sites and open forests at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from March to June, it has decumbent to ascending stems bearing round to ovate, 3- to 5-lobed leaves, and deep blue flowers with white centers borne in open terminal racemes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: annual with (3)5-lobed, ivy-like round-ovate leaves & long pedicels; only lobed-leaf speedwell of the foothills
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon; disturbed sites, open forests
Elevation: < 2000 m
Outside California: to BC, e US; native to Eurasia
Bloom period
Veronica hederifolia blooms Mar--Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Melaleuca: Melaleuca has bottlebrush flowers with numerous stamens; Veronica has simple four-petaled flowers with 2 stamens.; vs Nemophila: Nemophila has bowl-shaped flowers with leaves cut into lobes; Veronica has flat flowers and unlobed leaves.; vs Monardella: Monardella has flowers in dense heads with minty aroma; Veronica has scattered four-petaled flowers, no scent.; vs Ludwigia: Ludwigia has bright yellow four-petaled flowers; Veronica has blue, white, or pink flowers in racemes.; vs Lysimachia: Lysimachia has five petals and five sepals; Veronica has four petals and four sepals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Veronica hederifolia native to California?
No. Veronica hederifolia is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Veronica hederifolia bloom?
Veronica hederifolia blooms Mar--Jun.
What plant family does Veronica hederifolia belong to?
Veronica hederifolia is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Veronica.
What habitat does Veronica hederifolia grow in?
Veronica hederifolia grows in Uncommon; disturbed sites, open forests.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.