Veronica beccabunga

European brooklime, Water pimpernel

Plantaginaceae Edible: Leaves 11,989 iNaturalist observations

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iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-nd

Summary

Veronica beccabunga, the European speedwell or brooklime, is a succulent herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the flowering plant family Plantaginaceae. It grows on the margins of brooks and ditches in Europe, North Africa, and north and western Asia. It can be found on other continents as an introduced species. It has smooth spreading succulent branches that are often reddish, blunt oblong finely serrate leaves in opposite pairs close to the stem, and small bright blue or pink flowers with four petals. The specific name beccabunga has a common origin with bäckebunga, an archaic Swedish name for the plant used at the time when it was described by Carl Linnaeus. Names with the same origin are still in use in other European languages, including beekpunge In Dutch, and bachbunge in German (meaning 'brook bunch', or 'brook pouch').

Description

A herb. It has creeping hollow stems. It often grows half under water. It can be 30 cm high. The leaves have stalks. The leaves are 3-5 cm long and oval. They are glossy. The flowers are blue. A few flowers occur together in clusters in the axils of leaves.

Edible Uses

Leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. They have a pungent flavour and, while wholesome, are not especially palatable. They can be added to salads, mixed with watercress, or cooked alongside other strongly flavoured greens.

Traditional Uses

The tender leaves and shoots are cooked as a vegetable. The young leaves are also used in salads. They are finely chopped and mixed with chives in bread and butter sandwiches. They are used in soup. The leaves are used in tea mixtures.

Medicinal Uses

The whole plant is alterative, antiscorbutic, very mildly diuretic, emmenagogue, and febrifuge. It offers little as a medicinal herb but has a beneficial laxative effect when included in the diet. Leaves are used to treat scurvy and impurity of the blood. The bruised plant can be applied externally as a poultice to burns, ulcers, and whitlows.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. In Nepal plants grow between 2200-3100 m altitude. They grow in damp places. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bhutan, Bosnia, Britain, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Eurasia, Europe, Himalayas, India, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mali, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, North Africa, Romania, Scandinavia, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, Türkiye, West Africa,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from cuttings which include nodes. They can also be grown from seed.

Propagation

Sow seed in autumn in a cold frame, or directly in situ in spring or autumn if seed is plentiful. Prick seedlings into individual pots once large enough and plant out in summer. Division can be done at almost any point during the growing season — even a small piece of the plant will root if placed in water.

Other Uses

None known.

Notes

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

Also Known As

Astillejos, Berro macho, Bobovnik, Cestoslavica, Crescione, Frailes, Khole sag, Ualubu

References (31)

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Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 5. Kew.
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1462

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