Figwort Family:-

Speedwells

"Small non-woody plants with opposite leaves. Flowers in spikes or at the base of the leaves up the stem; usually blue, sometimes pink or white, the corolla with a short tube and 4 petal-like lobes, the calyx with usually 4 sepal-like lobes; stamens 2. Fruits flattened, notched." from Collins Pocket Guide to Wild Flowers by David McClintock and R.S.R. Fitter assisted by Francis Rose - ISBN 0 00 219363 9 - Eleventh Impression 1978.

Figwort Family plant table with its Common Name - Botanical Name. Flowering Months Range. Habitat with link to that Wild Flower Gallery:-

Common Name

Botanical Name

Flowering Months

Habitat

Alpine Bartsia

Bartsia alpina

July-August

A shortly rhizomatous perennial of base-rich soils. In England it is a plant of the drier hummocks in basic flushes and runnels in damp upland pastures, and of steep, flushed, species-rich banks. In the Breadalbanes (Mid Perth) it grows on the periodically inundated ledges of mica-schist crags. Seed-set is poor. From 245 m at Orton (Westmorland) to 950 m on Beinn Heasgarnich (Mid Perth

Flower from Teesdale

Flowers from Teesdale

Foliage from Teesdale

Form from Teesdale

Alpine Speedwell

Veronica alpina

July-August

This small montane perennial herb typically occurs in areas of late snow-lie in open, often rocky, places on well-drained but slightly moist ground. It grows on both acidic and calcareous substrates, but most of its sites are subject to some base-enrichment from flushing. From 760 m above Loch Callater (S. Aberdeen) to 1190 m on Aonach Beag (Westerness).

American Speedwell

Veronica peregrina

April-June

An annual occurring as a naturalised or casual weed of parks, gardens, garden centres, allotments and other cultivated ground, and in damp waste places and by streams. Lowland.

Birdseye Speedwell (Germander Speedwell)

Veronica chamaedrys

April-July

A stoloniferous perennial herb of woods, hedge banks, grassland, rock outcrops, upland screes, road verges, railway banks and waste ground, found on most soil types except the most impoverished. It also occurs on anthills on chalk downland. It spreads vegetatively by prostrate stems which root at the nodes; reproduction from seed appears to be comparatively rare. 0-750 m (Meal na Teanga, Loch Lochy, Westerness), with an unlocalised record of 820 m elsewhere in the Scottish Highlands.

Flower

Flowers

Foliage

Form from Park Gate

Breckland Speedwell

Veronica praecox

March-June

An annual found naturalised on free-draining sandy soils, usually where there is regular disturbance. Habitats include the edges of arable fields, on tracks, sandy banks, and open rough grassland. Lowland.

Brooklime

Veronica beccabunga

May-September

This robust perennial herb occurs on all but the most infertile substrates in a wide range of wetland habitats: in shallow water, by rivers, streams and ponds, in ditches, marshy hollows in pastures, flushes, wet woodland rides and rutted tracks. It thrives in fairly open habitats, competing poorly in dense stands of taller plants. Propagation is by seed and vegetatively from rooted stems. 0-845 m (Great Dun Fell, Westmorland).

Flower

Flowers from Norfolk in June

Foliage from Norfolk in June

Form from Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire

Common Cow-Wheat

Melampyrum pratense

May-September

An annual hemiparasite of woods, scrub, heaths and upland moorlands on well-drained, nutrient-poor acidic soils; more rarely in scrub, hedgerows and deciduous woodland on chalk and limestone. The large seeds are distributed by ants. Lowland to 960 m (Macgillycuddy`s Reeks, S. Kerry)

Flower from Glencar in Kerry on 24 June

Flowers

Foliage from Oldbury on 5 August

Form from Oldbury on 5 August

Common Field Speedwell

Veronica persica

Throughout the year

An annual of arable fields, other cultivated areas and waste ground, found on a wide range of fertile soils. It is self-fertile and seeds prolifically, the seeds forming a persistent seed bank and germinating throughout the year. It also spreads vegetatively from stem fragments. 0-350 m (Alston, Cumberland).

Flower

Flower with Stem from Rochester in Kent

Foliage

Form

Crested Cow-Wheat

Melampyrum cristatum

June-September

An annual hemiparasite of various woody and herbaceous species; mostly found on the margins of ancient Quercus robur woodlands, their clearings and rides and in associated field hedge banks on chalky boulder-clay soils. It is very rarely found in open grassland. Lowland.

Eyebright

Euphrasia officinalis (Euphrasia rostkoviana) and the following 24 microspecies:-

• Euphrasia micrantha
• Euphrasia scotica
• Euphrasia rhumica
• Euphrasia frigida
• Euphrasia foulaensis
• Euphrasia eurycarpa
• Euphrasia campbellae
• Euphrasia rotundifolia
• Euphrasia marshallii
• Euphrasia curta
• Euphrasia cambrica
• Euphrasia occidentalis
• Euphrasia nemerosa
• Euphrasia heslop-harrisonii
• Euphrasia confusa
• Euphrasia pseudokerneri
• Euphrasia borealis
• Euphrasia brevipila
• Euphrasia rostkoviana
• Euphrasia montana
• Euphrasia rivularis
• Euphrasia anglica
• Euphrasia hirtella
• Euphrasia salisburgensis

June onwards

A group of small, hemiparasitic annuals on the roots of diverse herbs and small shrubs, mainly found in permanent or semi-permanent grasslands.

Flower from Sandwich in Kent on 20 September

Flowers from Temple Ewell in Kent on 17 September

Foliage from County Clare

Form from Cnoc An Droighinn in Sutherland on 3 August

Field Cow-Wheat

Melampyrum arvense

June-September

An annual hemiparasite, mainly on the roots of grasses. Formerly an arable weed, it now occurs in open grassland beside hedges and ditch-banks, field-borders, in a disused brick-pit and on slumping chalk cliff-faces. Lowland.

Flower on 3 June

Flowers on 3 June

Foliage on 3 June

Form

Fingered Speedwell

Veronica triphyllos

April-June

Recently, this annual of sandy calcareous or slightly acidic soils has been found on the margins of arable fields and on sandy banks, but it was formerly also known from tracks, fallow fields, gravel-pits and waste ground. Regular disturbance is needed to maintain sufficient open ground for germination. Lowland.

Greater Yellow Rattle

(Narrow-leaved Yellow-Rattle)

Rhinanthus major (Rhinanthus angustifolius)

June-September

This annual root-parasite was formerly a widespread weed of arable land in E. Britain. However, most of the remaining sites are on the North Downs, in grassland and open scrub on chalk. In Lincolnshire, it occurs on peat in an area of cleared Pteridium and on railway ballast. In Angus, a tiny colony survives in sandy coastal grassland. Lowland.

Green Field Speedwell

Veronica agrestis

March onwards

This spring-germinating annual is a colonist of cultivated land, waysides, gardens and allotments. It prefers soils which are well-drained and acidic, occurring on calcareous substrates only when there is surface leaching. 0-410 m on Malham Moor (Mid-W. Yorks.) and 455 m in E. Perth.

Grey Field Speedwell

Veronica polita

March onwards

An annual of cultivated fields and gardens, typically growing on light, sandy, often calcareous soils. Generally lowland, but reaching 350 m near Kaber (Westmorland)

Heath Speedwell

Veronica officinalis

May-August

This perennial herb is found in open woods and woodland rides, on banks, in grassland and on heathland. It grows on well-drained, often moderately acidic or leached soils, and in some grasslands is confined to raised ground or anthills. 0-880 m (Cadair Idris, Merioneth).

Flower from Burham in Kent

Flower

Flower

Flower from County Clare

Flower from Burham

Flowers

Foliage from Knole Park in Kent on 3 October

Form

Ivy Speedwell

Veronica hederifolia

March-August

An annual of cultivated and waste ground, woodland rides, hedge banks, walls, banks and gardens, found on sandy, loam or clay soils. V. hederifolia seeds freely, with germination in spring or autumn. 0-380 m (Malham Moor, Mid-W. Yorks.).

Flower

Flower with Stem

Foliage from Queensdown Warren in Kent on 10 April

Form from Challock on 16 April

Lousewort

Pedicularis sylvatica

April-July

A perennial, rarely biennial, root-hemiparasitic of acidic soils, found on damp grassy heaths, moorlands, upland flushed grasslands and the drier parts of bogs and marshes. 0-915 m (Macgillycuddy`s Reeks, S. Kerry). Pedicularis sylvatica subsp. hibernica largely replaces this plant in West Ireland.

Flower from New Forest. Photo by BritishFlora

Flowers from New Forest. Photo by BritishFlora

Foliage from New Forest. Photo by BritishFlora

Form from New Forest. Photo by BritishFlora

White Flower from Kynance Cove

White Flowers from Kynance Cove

White Flower from Kynance Cove

Form

Marsh Speedwell

Veronica scutellata

June-August

This perennial herb is found in a wide range of wetland habitats, including pond and lake margins, marshes, fens and fen-meadows, wet grassland, hillside flushes, bogs and wet heath, often on acidic soils. It occurs in both open habitats and amongst tall vegetation. 0-780 m on Cross Fell (Cumberland).

Flower from Swansea on 10 July

Flowers from Kenfig Burrows on 11 July

Foliage from Kenfig Burrows on 11 July

Form from Kenfig Burrows on 11 July

Mountain Speedwell

(Thyme-leaved Speedwell)

Veronica tenella

(Veronica humifusa, Veronica serpyllifolia)

June onwards

A low perennial herb with creeping and rooting stems. It is widespread in both natural and artificial habitats, including woodland rides, grassland, heaths, flushes, damp rock ledges, cultivated land, lawns, waste ground and damp paths. 0-1160 m (Braeriach, S. Aberdeen).

Flower from Allt Nan Uamp on 17 June

Flowers

Foliage from Allt Nan Uamp on 17 June

Form from Allt Nan Uamp on 17 June

Pink Water Speedwell

Veronica catenata

June-August

This usually annual species is found in shallow water and on the muddy edges of rivers, streams, ponds and lakes, in dune-slacks, and in clay-, gravel- and chalk-pits. Although often found with V. anagallis-aquatica, its habitats are more restricted, being more frequent on the muddy edges of standing waters. Lowland.

Flower

Flowers

Foliage

Form

Red Bartsia

Odontites vernus (Bartsia odontites, Odontites vulgaris)

June-September

An annual root-hemiparasite of short, often trampled grasslands, tracks, waste places, the edges of arable fields, gravelly and rocky seashores and saltmarshes. 0-540 m (Nenthead, Cumberland).

Flower

Flowers

Foliage

Form from Stoer in Sutherland on 2 August

Red Rattle

Pedicularis palustris

May-September

An annual to biennial root-hemiparasitic herb of a wide range of base-rich to acidic, moist habitats, including wet heaths, valley bogs, wet meadows, ditches, fens and hillside flushes. Its sites are usually more enriched than those preferred by P. sylvatica. 0-550 m (E. Highlands of Scotland).

Flower from Wareham on 11 August

Flower Bud opening on 9 July

Foliage from Inchna Damph on 10 August

Form from Stoer in Sutherland on 2 August

Rock Speedwell

Veronica fruticans

July-August

A small, rather woody perennial, restricted to calcareous substrates and occurring on dry open slopes and rock ledges on crags, in sites which are usually South-facing and inaccessible to grazing animals. Montane, from 540 m (Meal an Fhiodhain, Mid Perth) to 1100 m (Ben Lawers, Mid Perth).

Flower from Hoher Jfen in Autria on 12 July

Flowers

Foliage

Form from Hoher Jfen on 12 July

Slender Speedwell

Veronica filiformis

April-June

A perennial herb of lawns and churchyards, and also found on roadsides, paths, grassy banks and streamsides. It is self-incompatible, rarely setting seed in our area but often spreads from fragments after mowing. Generally lowland, but reaching 450 m at Nenthead (Cumberland).

Flower

Flowers

Foliage from Leeds Castle in Kent

Form

Small Cow-Wheat

Melampyrum sylvaticum

June-August

An annual hemiparasite found in humid, lightly shaded situations on damp, usually somewhat enriched, acidic soils; in wooded ravines, in grassy hollows and on banks in woodlands and on upland cliff ledges. Near sea level to 760 m on Aonach air Chrith (W. Ross).

Spiked Speedwell

Veronica spicata

July onwards

A perennial herb of well-drained, nutrient-poor soils. In East Anglia, subsp. spicata usually grows on acidic to base-rich sandy soils in open, shortly-grazed grassland. Elsewhere, subsp. hybrida grows in thin soils on base-rich cliffs, grassland and rocks. Generally lowland, but reaching 400 m in Ribblesdale (Mid-W. Yorks.).

Spring Speedwell

Veronica verna

April-May

An annual of infertile sandy soils, occurring in short grassland and uncultivated, sometimes stony, places including rabbit warrens. V. verna does not occur on cultivated land, but depends on intensive grazing by sheep or rabbits to keep its habitat open. Lowland.

Thyme-leaved Speedwell

Veronica serpyllifolia

April onwards

A low perennial herb with creeping and rooting stems. It is widespread in both natural and artificial habitats, including woodland rides, grassland, heaths, flushes, damp rock ledges, cultivated land, lawns, waste ground and damp paths. 0-1160 m (Braeriach, S. Aberdeen).

Flower

Flowers from East Kent on 22 May

Foliage

Form

Wall Speedwell

Veronica arvensis

March onwards

An annual of cultivated land, open grassland, heaths, sand dunes, gravelled paths and tracks, waste ground, banks, walls and pavements, usually on dry soils. In closed grassland it may be restricted to anthills. Seed remains viable in the soil for several years. Generally lowland, but reaching at least 820 m in the Breadalbanes (Mid Perth) and exceptionally at 845 m on Great Dun Fell (Westmorland).

Flower from Peak District

Flowers

Foliage from Peak District

Form from Rochester in Kent

Water Speedwell

(Blue Water-speedwell)

Veronica anagallis-aquatica

(Veronica michauxii)

June-August

An annual found on fertile substrates by rivers, streams and ponds, in ditches and in flooded clay- and gravel-pits. It grows as a vegetative plant submerged in shallow water, or as a flowering emergent, or as a terrestrial plant in marshy habitats and disturbed ground at the water`s edge. Reproduction is by seed and by rooted stem fragments.

Flower

Flowers

Foliage

Form

Wood Speedwell

Veronica montana

April-July

A perennial herb of damp basic to mildly acidic soils in long-established, mixed deciduous woodland, scrub and shaded hedge banks. It is found on loamy and sandy soils and on heavy clay. Generally lowland, but reaching 435 m at Pont y Daf (Brecs.).

Yellow Bartsia

Parentucellia viscosa

June onwards

A hemiparasitic annual of damp, open grassy places on sandy soils, often by tracks. It normally occurs in drier dune-slacks and in reclaimed heath-pasture, but is also found on pathsides, rough and scrubby grassland and field-borders, and increasingly in re-seeded amenity grasslands and waste places. It thrives on disturbance. Lowland.

Yellow Rattle

Rhinanthus crista-galli (Rhinanthus minor)

May-July

An annual root-hemiparasite of nutrient-poor grasslands, including permanent pastures, hay meadows, the drier parts of fens, flushes in lowland and upland grasslands, and on montane ledges; also on roadsides and waste ground. 0-1065 m (Ben Lawers, Mid Perth).

Flower on 17 May

Flowers from Sandwich on 13 July

Foliage from Chesil Beach in May

Form from Chesil Beach in Dorset in May