Veronica triphyllos
Finger speedwell
(c) Martin Scheuch, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Martin Scheuch · licence
Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Veronica triphyllos (Finger speedwell) is a non-native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by distinctive palmately lobed leaves.
Finger speedwell is a naturalized annual found in the Klamath Ranges and California Ranges at elevations below 1,000 meters in gravelly flats. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces deep blue flowers in small terminal racemes. Growing with erect stems 5 to 20 centimeters tall, it has a taproot and is glandular-hairy. Its leaves are distinctively palmately lobed, with basal leaves 4 to 12 millimeters long, spoon-shaped to oblong with 3 to 9 lobes and obtuse tips. The fruit is 5 to 7 millimeters long, obcordate with nearly parallel lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive palmately lobed leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Gravelly flats
Elevation: < 1000 m
Outside California: native to Europe
Bloom period
Veronica triphyllos blooms Mar-Apr.
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 triphyllos native to California?
No. Veronica triphyllos is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Veronica triphyllos bloom?
Veronica triphyllos blooms Mar-Apr.
What plant family does Veronica triphyllos belong to?
Veronica triphyllos is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Veronica.
What habitat does Veronica triphyllos grow in?
Veronica triphyllos grows in Uncommon. Gravelly flats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Veronica wormskjoldii — American alpine speedwell
- Veronica americana — American brooklime
- Veronica anagallis-aquatica — Water speedwell
- Veronica arvensis — Corn speedwell
- Veronica californica — Serpentine snow queen
- Veronica catenata — Chain speedwell
- Antirrhinum confertiflorum — Ghost flower
- Antirrhinum cornutum — Spurred snapdragon
- Antirrhinum coulterianum — Coulter snapdragon
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
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.