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Veronica beccabunga - L.

Common Name Brooklime, European speedwell
Family Scrophulariaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats In streams, ditches, ponds and wet places in meadows, in acid or alkaline soils[9, 17].
Range Europe, incl Britain, from Norway south and east to N. Africa, temperate Asia to Japan and Himalayas
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Wet Soil Water Plants Semi-shade Full sun
Veronica beccabunga Brooklime, European speedwell


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Veronica beccabunga Brooklime, European speedwell
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Veronica_beccabunga_bäckveronika.jpg

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Veronica beccabunga is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to September, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, bees. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 4, 5, 115]. They can be added to salads, mixed with water cress or cooked with other strongly flavoured greens[9, 183]. A pungent flavour, although the leaves are wholesome they are not very palatable[4, 12].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Alterative  Antiscorbutic  Diuretic  Emmenagogue  Febrifuge  Poultice

The whole plant is alterative, antiscorbutic, very mildly diuretic, emmenagogue and febrifuge[4, 9, 13, 21]. It is of little benefit as a medicinal herb, but has a beneficial laxative effect when included in the diet[9]. The leaves are used in the treatment of scurvy, impurity of the blood etc[240]. The plant is bruised and applied externally as a politic on burns, ulcers, whitlows, etc[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a moderately fertile wet soil, growing best in water up to 15cm deep[24, 200]. Prefers cool summers[200]. Plants do not demand high light levels[200]. A good bee plant[24].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - sow autumn in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient, the seed can be sown in situ in the spring or the autumn. Division at almost any time in the growing season. Very easy, even a small part of the plant will root if put in water[K].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Veronica agrestisField Speedwell, Green field speedwellAnnual0.1 0-0  LMHNM110
Veronica americanaAmerican Brooklime, American speedwellPerennial0.1 0-0  LMHSNWeWa21 
Veronica anagallis-aquaticaWater SpeedwellPerennial0.3 -  LMHNWeWa22 
Veronica arvensisCorn SpeedwellAnnual0.2 4-8  LMHNDM010
Veronica catenata Perennial0.0 -  LMHNWeWa10 
Veronica chamaedrysGermander SpeedwellPerennial0.5 3-7  LMHSNM11 
Veronica hederifoliaIvy-Leaf SpeedwellAnnual0.5 -  LMHNM01 
Veronica longifoliaGarden Speedwell, Long-Leaf SpeedwellPerennial1.0 4-10 MLMHNM10 
Veronica officinalisCommon SpeedwellPerennial0.1 3-7  LMHSNDM12 
Veronica peregrinaNecklace Weed, Neckweed, Hairy purslane speedwellAnnual/Biennial0.2 0-0  LMHNMWe020
Veronica politaGray field speedwellAnnual0.3 0-0  LMHNM21 
Veronica scutellataMarsh Speedwell, Skullcap speedwellPerennial0.1 5-9  LMHNWeWa10 
Veronica spuriabastard speedwellPerennial0.5 3-7  LMHNM10 
Veronica undulataUndulate speedwellPerennial1.0 0-0  LMHNMWe11 
Veronicastrum axillare Perennial1.8 -  LMHNM02 
Veronicastrum sibiricumBlackrootPerennial0.8 5-9  LMHSNM02 
Veronicastrum virginicumBeaumont's Root, Culver's root, Bowman's Root, Culver's Root, Black RootPerennial1.2 3-9 FLMHNM03 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Botanical References

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Subject : Veronica beccabunga  
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