Field speedwell
Scientific name: Veronica arvensis L.
Family name: Plantaginaceae
MORPHOLOGY
Habit and dimensions: annual herbaceous plant, ranging in size from 5 to 40 centimeters.
Stem: erect, simple or branched at the base, covered with simple or glandular hairs arranged in two rows.
Leaves: opposite, oval with crenate margins and pubescent. The lower leaves are shortly petiolate, while the upper leaves are sessile.
Flowers: arranged in terminal, elongated racemes. Individual flowers have sky blue petals that fade to white.
Fruits and seeds: complex, heart-shaped capsules containing yellowish, concave, and compressed ellipsoid seeds. Each capsule can contain between 10 and 20 seeds.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
A subcosmopolitan species, common in dry meadows, fallow lands, and ruderal environments up to 2,000 meters in altitude. It tends to infest fields and gardens.
USE
Field speedwell is used as a medicinal plant with diuretic properties and as a remedy for burns. Note: Before taking any plant-based product (medicinal or otherwise) for therapeutic or similar purposes, it is always advisable to consult your doctor.
INTERESTING FACTS
The genus name is of uncertain etymology, while the specific name arvensis (= field) refers to the preferred habitat of the species.
Photo: Courtesy of Saxifraga – Ed Stikvoort, Marijke Verhagen, and Jan van der Straaten under a free license.
