We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

Veronica americana - Schwein. ex Benth.

Common Name American Brooklime, American speedwell
Family Scrophulariaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Shallow water, rills and swamps[43].
Range N. America - Newfoundland to Alaska, south to California and N. Carolina.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Wet Soil Water Plants Semi-shade Full sun
Veronica americana American Brooklime, American speedwell


Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Veronica americana American Brooklime, American speedwell
Sheri Hagwood @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

Translate this page:

Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Veronica americana is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[62, 85, 105, 172]. A hot flavour, it can be used as a watercress substitute[62].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Expectorant

Expectorant[172].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in a moderately fertile wet soil or in shallow water[1, 200]. Prefers cool summers[200]. Plants do not demand high light levels[200]. Closely related to V. beccabunga[1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

Propagation

Seed - sow autumn in a cold frame[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in autumn or spring[200]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Veronica agrestisField Speedwell, Green field speedwellAnnual0.1 0-0  LMHNM110
Veronica anagallis-aquaticaWater SpeedwellPerennial0.3 -  LMHNWeWa22 
Veronica arvensisCorn SpeedwellAnnual0.2 4-8  LMHNDM010
Veronica beccabungaBrooklime, European speedwellPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHSNWeWa11 
Veronica catenata Perennial0.0 -  LMHNWeWa10 
Veronica chamaedrysGermander SpeedwellPerennial0.5 3-7  LMHSNM11 
Veronica hederifoliaIvy-Leaf SpeedwellAnnual0.5 -  LMHNM01 
Veronica longifoliaGarden Speedwell, Long-Leaf SpeedwellPerennial1.0 4-10 MLMHNM10 
Veronica officinalisCommon SpeedwellPerennial0.1 3-7  LMHSNDM12 
Veronica peregrinaNecklace Weed, Neckweed, Hairy purslane speedwellAnnual/Biennial0.2 0-0  LMHNMWe020
Veronica politaGray field speedwellAnnual0.3 0-0  LMHNM21 
Veronica scutellataMarsh Speedwell, Skullcap speedwellPerennial0.1 5-9  LMHNWeWa10 
Veronica spuriabastard speedwellPerennial0.5 3-7  LMHNM10 
Veronica undulataUndulate speedwellPerennial1.0 0-0  LMHNMWe11 
Veronicastrum axillare Perennial1.8 -  LMHNM02 
Veronicastrum sibiricumBlackrootPerennial0.8 5-9  LMHSNM02 
Veronicastrum virginicumBeaumont's Root, Culver's root, Bowman's Root, Culver's Root, Black RootPerennial1.2 3-9 FLMHNM03 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

Schwein. ex Benth.

Botanical References

43200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : Veronica americana  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.