Speedwell is a very versatile plant that is found almost worldwide. In Germany there are about 50 native species that grow wild. In the garden, speedwell is often grown in perennial beds because of its pretty flowers. The prize of honor - a profile.

The delicate speedwell grows in our wild meadows and on the edges of forests

Honorary award - a profile

  • Botanical name: Veronica
  • popular names: loyal to men, list of women
  • Family: plantain family
  • Species worldwide: 450
  • Species native: 50
  • natural occurrence: under hedges, bushes, on meadows
  • Annual/perennial: depending on the variety
  • Height: 20 to 30 cm, perennials also up to 180 cm
  • Flower: fourfold petals, two stamens
  • Flower color: blue, violet, pink, white
  • Flowering time: April to autumn depending on the variety
  • Toxicity: non-toxic
  • Use as an ornamental plant: perennial beds
  • Use as a medicinal plant: internally and externally for various ailments

Popular Central European varieties

  • German honorary award
  • Grand Prize
  • Honorable Prize
  • Persian speedwell
  • Ivy speedwell

Prize for the Garden

Speedwell is often planted in the garden as a perennial. The spiked speedwell (Veronica spicata) plays an important role here.

"Knallblau" and "Königsblau" are two large speedwell varieties that stand out due to their strong blue color. “Fascination” is also popular, which has a particularly decorative effect with its inflorescences that can reach heights of up to 150 cm. 'Rosa tones' is much shorter at 80 cm, but has very beautiful pink flowers.

The species, which is often commercially available under the name Hebe or shrub veronica, comes from New Zealand. It is not or only partially hardy.

Use in medicine and cuisine

The plant owes its name to its ingredients, which include essential oils, lactic acid, bitter substances, resins, saponins and tannins. First and foremost, the variety (Veronica officinalis) is mentioned. It has been used for centuries to treat a wide variety of ailments such as rheumatism, gout, gynecological problems and liver problems. Today, speedwell no longer plays an important role in naturopathy.

Wild speedwell is collected for the kitchen. There the flowering herb is used for salads and as a seasoning. It has a tart aromatic taste.

The perennials offered for the garden are not suitable for use as a remedy or in the kitchen, as they hardly have any ingredients left.

tips

In older botanical works, speedwell is classified as a brown growth family. Due to new findings, Veronica is now assigned to the plantain family.

Category:

Herbs