Heath Speedwell

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• common speedwell
• upland speedwell
• gypsyweed
• speedwell

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Veronica subarctica
• Veronica officinalis var. spadana
• Veronica muelleriana
• Veronica setigera
• Veronica spadana
• Veronica allionii var. tournefortii
• Veronica officinalis var. sylvestris
• Veronica officinalis var. multicaulis
• Veronica hirsuta
• Veronica officinalis var. caespitosa
• Veronica vadiniensis
• Veronica officinalis var. allionii
• Veronica carquejana
• Veronica officinalis f. albiflora
• Veronica dryadis
• Veronica officinalis var. tournefortii
• Veronica drymeja
• Veronica officinalis var. nitidula
• Veronica officinalis var. plena
• Veronica officinalis var. variegata
• Veronica officinalis var. carquejana
• Veronica officinalis var. glabrescens
• Veronica officinalis var. subarctica
• Veronica officinalis var. submontana
• Veronica officinalis var. glabrata
• Veronica officinalis var. minor
• Veronica officinalis var. silvestris
• Veronica officinalis var. albiflora
• Veronica officinalis f. monstrosa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales and the family Plantaginaceae, it is classified under the genus Veronica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern focused primarily within Northern Europe. It can be found growing across various territories, including the landscapes of Denmark and Finland. The species also inhabits the unique environments of the Faroe Islands and Iceland. Additionally, its presence is well-documented throughout Great Britain. Together, these locations define its regional geographical range.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Veronica officinalis is characterized by its adaptability to diverse landscapes, ranging from low-lying coastal areas to higher montane environments. It thrives across a broad elevational range, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1300 m AMSL. This species is commonly found in varied habitats, including forests, forest edges, meadows, and mountain regions, where it can exploit different levels of light availability and soil moisture. Its presence in both shaded forest settings and more open, sunlit meadows demonstrates a versatile ecological niche that allows it to colonize a wide array of temperate ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, forest edges, meadows, mountains

Life history

The life history of Veronica officinalis is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its growth habit and survival strategies, it exhibits a dual classification of life forms, functioning as both a hemicryptophyte and a chamaephyte, which indicates that its perennating buds are located at or just above the soil surface. This structural adaptation facilitates its resilience in various environments. Furthermore, the plant maintains an evergreen nature, ensuring that its vegetative structures remain functional throughout different stages of its biological cycle.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Veronica officinalis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, functioning as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or liana. It is an independent species that does not exhibit parasitic behavior and maintains a terrestrial habit, rather than being aquatic or epiphytic. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively low-growing, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.03 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 0.088 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.088 m

Plant height min:

0.03 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Veronica officinalis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy that facilitates carbon fixation under moderate environmental conditions. The plant is non-carnivorous and does not possess the biological mechanisms required for nitrogen fixation, relying instead on soil-based nutrient uptake. Morphologically, its leaves exhibit a mean size of 0.54 cm², with a maximum leaf length reaching approximately 2.5 cm. Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 276.15 cm²/g, a physiological metric that reflects its leaf mass per unit area and provides insight into its resource acquisition strategies and light-use efficiency.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

2.5 cm

Leaf size mean:

0.54 cm²

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

276.15 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Veronica officinalis is characterized by sexual processes through bisexual flowers, with asexual reproduction being notably absent. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in August. Pollination is a biotic process primarily driven by insects, with bees serving as a significant pollinator. The plant is capable of self-fertilization, ensuring reproductive success. Following fertilization, the plant produces dry, dehiscent fruit in the form of a capsule. This capsule contains a high volume of seeds, typically ranging from 101 to 1000 seeds per fruit. The seeds are minute, possessing a consistent volume of 0.1 mm³ and a mean mass of approximately 0.000129 g (with a range between 0.00011 g and 0.00017 g). Dispersal of the seeds is achieved through unspecialized methods, including epizoochorous mechanisms, allowing the species to spread effectively within its habitat.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

epizoochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.00017 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000129277666666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.00011 g

Seed volume max:

0.1 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Veronica officinalis has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aucubin, Gibberellic acid (GA3), Minecoside, Tannin, Veronicoside.

Aucubin

1. Dr. Duke

Gibberellic acid (GA3)

1. Scientific reports

Minecoside

1. Dr. Duke

Tannin

1. Dr. Duke

Veronicoside

1. Dr. Duke

Verproside

1. Dr. Duke

mannitol

1. Dr. Duke

resin

1. Dr. Duke

verminoside

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Veronica officinalis has 57 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Allergenic, Analgesic, Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, AntiReye's.

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

AntiReye's

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticariogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antidiarrheic

1. Dr. Duke

Antidote (Amanitin)

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Veronica officinalis has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Seed dormancy, gastric ulcers, triglycerides.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations