Veronica americana

Schwein. ex Benth.

American brooklime

Plantaginaceae Edible: Leaves, Leaves - tea 9,946 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Veronica americana, variously called American brooklime or American speedwell, is a flowering plant native to temperate and arctic Asia and North America where it grows in streams and bottomlands. It is a herbaceous perennial with glabrous stems 10–100 cm (4–40 in) long that bear terminal or axillary racemes or spikes of soft violet flowers. The leaves are 1.5–8 cm (0.6–3.1 in) long and 3 to 20 times as long as wide, short-petiolate, glabrous, serrate to almost entire. The plant can be confused with Scutellaria (skullcap) and other members of the mint family. Members of the mint family have square sided stems, and Veronica species have rounded stems.

Description

A herb. The stems are succulent and creeping. It grows 60-75 cm tall. The leaves are sword shaped and smooth. There are sharp teeth along the edges. The flowers are small and violet or lilac. They are in the axils of leaves.

Edible Uses

Leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. They have a hot flavour and work well as a substitute for watercress.

Traditional Uses

The young growth tips can be washed and added to salads. They can also be boiled and eaten as a vegetable. They are used as flavouring for bacon fat or butter. The leaves are brewed into tea.

Medicinal Uses

Expectorant.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It often grows along stream banks and swamps and near clear ponds.

Where It Grows

Asia, Canada, Europe, Japan, Korea, North America, USA,

Cultivation

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

Propagation

Sow seed in autumn in a cold frame. Prick seedlings out into individual pots once large enough to handle, then plant out in summer. Divide plants in autumn or spring — larger divisions can go straight into permanent positions. Pot up smaller divisions and grow on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until established, then plant out in summer or the following spring.

Other Uses

None known.

Notes

There are about 250 Veronica species. Also put in the family Scrophulariaceae.

References (9)

A. L. P. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 10:468. 1846
Elias, T.S. & Dykeman P.A., 1990, Edible Wild Plants. A North American Field guide. Sterling, New York p 144
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 230
Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 905
Kiple, K.F. & Ornelas, K.C., (eds), 2000, The Cambridge World History of Food. CUP p 1738

Show all 9 references

MacKinnon, A., et al, 2009, Edible & Medicinal Plants of Canada. Lone Pine. p 246
Michael, P., 2007, Edible Wild Plants and Herbs. Grub Street. London. p 43
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Slocum, P.D. & Robinson, P., 1999, Water Gardening. Water Lilies and Lotuses. Timber Press. p 103