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veronica anagallis-aquatica - L.

Common Name Water Speedwell
Family Scrophulariaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Marshes, ditches, wet meadows, ponds and streams, avoiding acid conditions[1, 17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to N. Africa, temperate Asia to Japan.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Wet Soil Water Plants Full sun
veronica anagallis-aquatica Water Speedwell


veronica anagallis-aquatica Water Speedwell
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
veronica anagallis-aquatica is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
It is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

V. anagallis.

Plant Habitats

 Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[46, 61]. Rich in vitamin C[2]. A subtle flavour[132], the leaves can be added to salads or used as a potherb[183]. When used in salads they go better with a lemon dressing than vinegar[183]. The leaves are often available in winter.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Alterative  Antiscorbutic  Appetizer  Diuretic  Poultice  Vitamin C

The root and the leaves are alterative, appetizer and diuretic[218, 240]. The leaves are used in the treatment of scurvy, impurity of the blood etc[240]. The plant is bruised and applied externally as a poultice on burns, ulcers, whitlows, etc[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a moderately fertile wet soil or in shallow water[1, 200]. Prefers cool summers[200]. Plants are occasionally cultivated for their edible leaves in Japan[61].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow autumn in a cold frame[200]. 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 seed it can be grown in situ in the autumn or spring. Division in autumn or spring[200]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring. Cuttings of young shoots root easily in the growing season, merely put them in water.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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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 beccabungaBrooklime, European speedwellPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHSNWeWa11 
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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Author

L.

Botanical References

17

Links / References

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Readers comment

Layne   Thu Apr 12 2007

Hi, I've been looking up information about Veronica water because I've got an antique bottle "Veronica Medicinal Spring Water" can you tell me more about it? The water and who may have bottled. Thank you.

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