Veronica (plant)

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Veronica
Veronica chamaedrys
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Veronica
L.
Species

See text.


Veronica is the largest genus in the flowering plant family Plantaginaceae, with about 500 species; it was formerly classified in the family Scrophulariaceae. Taxonomy for this genus is currently being reanalysed, with the genus Hebe and the related Australasian genera Derwentia, Detzneria, Chionohebe, Heliohebe, Leonohebe and Parahebe included by many botanists. Common names include speedwell, bird's eye, and gypsyweed.

The species are herbaceous annuals or perennials, and also shrubs or small trees if Hebe is included. Most of the species are from the temperate Northern Hemisphere, though with some species from the Southern Hemisphere; Hebe is mostly from New Zealand.

Species of Veronica are used as food plants by the larvae of some species of Lepidoptera, including the Grizzled Skipper.

Contents

Uses and edibility [edit]

Veronica americana is edible and nutritious and is reported to have a flavor similar to watercress. Native Americans used Veronica species as an expectorant tea to alleviate bronchial congestion associated with asthma and allergies. The plant can be confused with skullcap and other members of the mint family. Members of the mint family have square sided stems, and Veronica species have rounded stems, and are easily distinguished from skullcap.[1]

Problems for lawns [edit]

Several species of speedwell outcompete lawns.[2] Some of the more common of these are Persian Speedwell (Veronica persica),[3] Creeping Speedwell, Corn Speedwell (Veronica arvensis), Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys), and Ivy-leaved Speedwell (Veronica hederifolia). It is often difficult to tell one species from another. A comparison photo of three of the common non-grass species is here. There are five-to-seven species of speedwell in Michigan alone that are easily confused.[4]

The resilient speedwell species have a fine, fibrous root system, bright green roundish, oval, or heart-shaped leaves with scalloped edges. The leaves are often tiny, with some being under 1/4 inch long, the flowers are typically very small and are blue or bluish-white in color. In all the plant species but one, the leaves are alternate near the end of (flowering) stems, but the leaves are opposite near the base.[5]

Use as Groundcover [edit]

Tolerant species of plants, especially those with beautiful small flowers like the Veronicas, have recently been rediscovered as useful ground cover in drought prone areas of the world. Populated regions with arid or semi arid climates are saving water, preventing soil loss, and avoiding the use of additives on land where children and pets play.[6]

Other [edit]

The birds eye speedwell is on the badge of the RAF's 541 photo reconnaissance squadron, whose motto is 'Alone above all'.

Species [edit]


Gallery [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West, Gregory L. Tilford, ISBN 0-87842-359-1
  2. ^ Corn Speedwell. TurfFiles.
  3. ^ Persian speedwell. Weed Gallery. U.C. Davis.
  4. ^ http://www.msuturfweeds.net/details/_/creeping_speedwell_2/
  5. ^ Fred Yelverton, 2007, North Carolina State University http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/Keywords/corn_speedwell.aspx#IS004157
  6. ^ [1]
  7. ^ "Rare plant in forest has botanists bamboozled". New Zealand Herald. 10 November 2009.

External links [edit]

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