Its rare on the island being restricted to the northernmost limestone barrens of the Northern Peninsula. Also restricted to the limestone areas of northern Newfoundland is the northern paintbrush, Castilleja septentrionalis . Western Canada has many species, most which have bright yellow, orange or red bracts, but our species is more subdued with whitish-green bracts. O our field trips we found this species on the Point Riche Peninsula. The speedwells or Veronca is our largest genus from the figwort family.
Some species are native while others are introduced.
The introduced species are common as lawn weeds or along fields and roadsides. The native species are generally more specific as to their preferred habitats. Most of the speedwells are creeping in nature. All produce either violet, blue or white, blue-striped flowers. Flowers appear to have 4 petals, but the largest petal is in fact, two fused petals.