speedwell
Veronica · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (11 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Speedwell, scientifically known as Veronica, is a diverse genus of flowering plants admired for their delicate, blue-hued blooms. Beyond their ornamental beauty in gardens, various species possess historical medicinal properties, traditionally used to treat respiratory ailments, skin inflammations, and digestive issues through their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Names and Synonyms
Common Names
- speedwell
- Speedwells and Hebes
- speedwells
Scientific Names
Accepted name
VeronicaSynonyms
- Heliohebe
- Derwentia
- Cymbophyllum
- Paederotella
- Allopleia
- Aidelus
- Lunellia
- Limnaspidium
- Cochlidiosperma
- Coerulinia
- Beccabunga
- Omphalospora
- Odicardis
- Ponaria
- Pocilla
- Azurinia
- Atelianthus
- Petrodora
- Besseya
- Synthyris
- Uranostachys
- Cardia
- Veronicella
- Leonohebe
- Agerella
- Parahebe
- Panoxis
- Zeliauros
- Oligospermum
- Pseudolysimachion
- Hebe
- Hebejeebie
- Hedystachys
- Chionohebe
- Diplophyllum
- Detzneria
- Eustachya
- Eustaxia
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Azuletes
German:
- Ehrenpreis
- Ehrenpreis
French:
- Véronique
- Véroniques
- Véronique
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.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Genus | Veronica |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern reaches of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is well-documented in Denmark and Finland. The species also extends to the coastal regions of the Faroe Islands, known as Føroyar. Additionally, it can be found throughout the landscape of Great Britain. Finally, its geographical range reaches as far north as the island of Iceland.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark |
| Northern Europe | Finland |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain |
| Northern Europe | Iceland |
| Northern Europe | Ireland |
| Northern Europe | Norway |
| Northern Europe | Svalbard |
| Northern Europe | Sweden |
| Middle Europe | Austria |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Chemicals
Veronica has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Catalpol, Loganin, Verbenalin.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Catalpol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Loganin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Verbenalin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Catalpol
- Electrophoresis
Loganin
- Electrophoresis
Verbenalin
- Electrophoresis
Activities
Veronica has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anticancer, Cytotoxic.
| Activity | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Antimicrobial
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
- Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
Antioxidant
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
- Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
Anticancer
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Cytotoxic
- Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
Medicinal Uses
Veronica has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include rheumatism, wound healing.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| rheumatism | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wound healing | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| artisanal beers | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herbal teas | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ice creams | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| liqueurs | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seasoned food products | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sweets | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |