Veronica spuria
L.
Speedwell
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Summary
Source: WikipediaVeronica spuria, the bastard speedwell is a perennial flower in the Plantaginaceae family native in eastern Europe and western Asia.
Description
A hardy perennial reaching 0.5 m tall, hardy to UK zone 3. Flowers June to July. Hermaphroditic and insect-pollinated, self-fertile. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Grows in mildly acidic to mildly alkaline soil. Requires full sun and prefers moist soil.
Edible Uses
Leaves and young shoots can be eaten raw or cooked, though this plant is considered a famine food and would only be turned to when other options are exhausted.
Traditional Uses
The shoots and leaves are eaten.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
None known
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
Asia, Britain, China, Europe, Mongolia,
Cultivation
Easily grown in a moderately fertile moisture retentive well drained soil. Prefers cool summers.
Propagation
Sow seed in autumn in a cold frame. Prick seedlings out into individual pots once large enough to handle, then plant out during summer. Where seed is plentiful, sow directly outdoors in situ in autumn or spring. Divide plants in autumn or spring. Larger divisions can go straight into their permanent positions; smaller ones are best potted up and grown on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until establishing well, then planted out in summer or the following spring.
Other Uses
None known
Notes
There are about 250 Veronica species. Also put in the family Scrophulariaceae.
Synonyms
References (4)
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- READ,
- Sp. pl. 1:10. 1753
- Urgamal, M., Oyuntsetseg, B., Nyambayar, D. & Dulamsuren, Ch. 2014. Conspectus of the vascular plants of Mongolia. (Editors: Sanchir, Ch. & Jamsran, Ts.). Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. “Admon“ Press. 334pp. (p. 79-90).
