Veronica anagallis-aquatica

Veronica anagallis-aquatica is a species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae known by the common names water speedwell, blue water-speedwell, and brook pimpernel.

Description

A short lived herb. It can be erect or lie along the ground. It grows about 50 -150 cm high. The stems are often creeping and rooting from the lower nodes. The leaves do not have leaf stalks. Leaves are 5-15 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. They are narrow and oblong and can have teeth. The flowers are white or pinkish. They occur in lax, slender clusters. The number of clusters and flowers can vary greatly. The fruit is a capsule. It is compressed. It is 2-3.5 cm long. There are many seeds.

Edible Uses

Leaves can be eaten raw or cooked and are rich in vitamin C. Their subtle flavour suits salads — where they pair better with a lemon dressing than vinegar — or they can be used as a potherb. The leaves are often available through winter.

Traditional Uses

The seeds are pickled. The young stems are used as a vegetable. The leaves are used in salads and also cooked.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The root and leaves are alterative, appetizing, and diuretic. Leaves are used to treat scurvy and impurity of the blood. Externally, the bruised plant is applied as a poultice to burns, ulcers, and whitlows.

Distribution

A temperate plant. In Nepal plants grow between 500-3500 m altitude. It grows in still or slow flowing water up to about 1 m deep. It can also grow along banks. In north China it grows near swamps below 4,000 m above sea level. It grows in wetlands. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,500 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Britain, Central Asia, Chile, China, Eswatini, Europe, France, Greece, Himalayas, India, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Portugal, Russia, Sicily, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America*, Swaziland, Spain, St Helena, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Tibet, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed. They can also be grown from cuttings. These need to be put into shallowly flooded soil.

Propagation

Sow seed in autumn in a cold frame, or directly in situ in autumn or spring if seed is plentiful. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough and plant out in summer. Divide in autumn or spring — large divisions can go directly into permanent positions, while smaller ones do best potted up and grown on in light shade until established, then planted out in summer or the following spring. Cuttings of young shoots root easily during the growing season — simply place them in water.

Other Uses

None known.

Production

The 4-6 top leaves are picked off.

Other Information

It is sold in local markets in China.

Notes

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

Synonyms

Also Known As

Agraman, Astillejos, Berro, Blue water speedwell, Bong ga neng bong, Crisciuneddu, Dhapre jhar, Erva di tracina, Frailes, Giyahanaroka, Hazar dani, Nomeolvides del campo, Obo saba, Sugedemesi, Titlokia, Veronica, Water speedwell

References (30)

• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 672
• Arora, R. K., 2014, Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species - An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International. p 46
• Bianchini, F., Corbetta, F., and Pistoia, M., 1975, Fruits of the Earth. Cassell. p 52
• Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 414
• Blanco-Salas, J., et al, 2019, Wild Plants Potentially Used in Human Food in the Protected Area “Sierra Grande de Hornachos” of Extremadura (Spain). Sustainability 2019, 11, 456

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