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Veronica officinalis - L.

Common Name Common Speedwell
Family Scrophulariaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Heaths, moors, grassland, dry hedgebanks and coppices, often on dry soils[4, 17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Iceland south and east to Spain, W. Asia and the Caucasus.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Veronica officinalis Common Speedwell


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Veronica officinalis Common Speedwell
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Veronica_officinalis0.jpg

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Veronica officinalis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, bees. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Lawn; Meadow; Hedgerow;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Tea

A bitter tangy tea is made from the fresh flowering herb or the dried leaves[2, 21, 46, 183]. The dried leaves can be added to tea blends[238].

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.
Alterative  Antipruritic  Antirheumatic  Astringent  Diuretic  Expectorant  Stomachic  Tonic


The leaves and roots are alterative, astringent, mildly diuretic, mildly expectorant, stomachic and tonic[4, 9, 14, 21, 222]. They have been employed in the treatment of pectoral and nephritic complaints, haemorrhages, skin diseases and the treatment of wounds[4], though the plant is considered to be obsolete in modern herbalism[238]. The leaves are harvested in the summer and dried for later use[9].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a moderately fertile moisture retentive well drained soil[200]. Prefers cool summers[200]. Thrives in light shade or in open sunny positions[14]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. An evergreen. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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

Fahrenheit:

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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.

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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. If you have sufficient quantity, the seed can be sown in situ in the autumn or the spring. 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 americanaAmerican Brooklime, American speedwellPerennial0.1 0-0  LMHSNWeWa21 
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 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.

 

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Botanical References

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Subject : Veronica officinalis  
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