Common in grassland and woods, often in long grass besides paths.

Height c 25-50 cm. Flower diameter c 9-12 mm

Flowers in spikes arising from leaf axils. Leaves hairy, unstalked or with stalk < 5 mm and well-toothed. Flower-stalks at least as long as the bract at their base, and at least as long as the calyx.

The two lines of hairs up the stem are nearly always present and are enough on their own to ID the plant, but in deep shade the stem is sometimes equally hairy all round.

Fruit-capsule shorter than calyx. Flowers normally bright blue with white eye, but occasionally more of a mauve colour.

The paired spikes of flowers arise from the leaf axils. The flowers are large, 8 - 12mm and bright blue.

Veronica chamaedrys 1Jun14 NS6656 PW

The opposite leaves are sessile or with very short (<5mm petioles).

Veronica chamaedrys 1Jun14 NS6656 PW

This is not a reliable sign for plants in the shade, but is interesting to see.

Veronica chamaedrys 1Jun14 NS6656 PW

This shows the typical leaves, but the ‘flower’ is due to the Germander Speedwell Gall-Midge Jaapiella veronicae. This is quite common on heath and moorland in VC77.

Veronica chamaedrys NS6638 26Aug2017 PW

In woods with fairly alkaline soil.

Height c 15-35 cm. Flowers c 6-9 mm across. Leaves c 2-3 cm.

Spikes of 2-5 flowers arising from leaf-axils, but mostly only one spike from each pair of opposite leaf-axils; main stem doesn't end in flower-spike. Leaves with stalks > 5mm, and with large teeth as in pictures. Stem equally hairy all round.

Creeping and rooting. Individual flowers pale violet-bluish on stalks 4-7 mm, in the axils of bracts which are much shorter than the stalks. Fruit capsule when ripe longer than calyx.

Veronica montana 20May17 NS5960 PW

Showing the capsule which is longer than the calyx and also the large teeth on the leaf.

Veronica montana NS5858 20July2018 PW

Common on moorland and in woods, scrub or rocky areas

Height c 15-30 cm. Flower diameter c 5-8 mm

Stem hairy all round, leaves hairy all over. Flower spike from axil of leaf near tip of stem, often appearing terminal at first glance. Individual flower-stalks 2 mm or less. Well over 5 flowers in most flower-spikes. Flowers mauve. Fruit capsule longer than calyx. Leaves form dense mats, stems root at nodes.

Veronica officinalis NS7848 8Jul2020 MP

Veronica officinalis NN8842 24June2018 PW

Veronica officinalis NS7848 8Jul2020 MP

Occasional garden or arable weed.

Height c 15-30 cm. Flowers c 8-12 mm across.

Flowers solitary in leaf-axils, on stalks that are longer than their leaf but not twice as long. Flowers blue, the lowest petal often white. The similar V agrestis and V polita have flower-stalks shorter than their leaves and flowers less than 8 mm across. V. filiformis has flower-stalks much longer than twice leaf length.

A hairy annual with branches sprawling along the ground. Fruit capsule much broader than long, consisting of two diverging lobes. Leaves pale green.

Veronica persica 2Aug2017 NS6265 MP

Veronica persica NS5565 25Jul2017 PW

Veronica persica NS7656 30Mar2018 PW

This is found earlier in the season, often in damp domestic lawns. The paired, small leaves up the stem and the disproportionately large flower with a pale lip are distinctive.

This shows the kidney-shaped leaves and the large flowers.

Veronica filiformis NS6555 9 April 2021 PW

Close up of the stem and leaves. The calyx is empty as this plant rarely sets seeds and spread vegetatively, often by mowing.

Veronica filiformis NS9840 11May2019 PW

Veronica filiformis NS6860 31Mar2019 PW

Weed of cultivated or disturbed ground.

Flower diameter c 4-8 mm. Leaves to c 1.5 cm long.

Leaves palmately lobed and veined, veins radiating from base of leaf-blade. Flowers solitary in leaf-axils. Annual, grows along the ground. Flowers lilac or blue, on long stalks.

It occurs earlier in the season.

Veronica hederifolia subsp. hederifolia NT0056 5May2018 PW

Common on bare ground, gravel, edges of car parks etc, and as a garden weed, or in short grass.

Height c 10-25 cm. Flowers c 4-6 mm across.

Flowers white or pale blue with dark blue lines in the top half. Leaves without the hairy, toothed, look of most small Speedwells, being glossy, smooth and more or less untoothed, though hairs and teeth may be found on close inspection.

Creeping and rooting, with ascending stems terminating in leafy flower-spikes. Flower bracts longer than flower stalks, which are longer than the calyx, which is eventually about as long as the ripe fruit within it, which is broader than long.

Veronica serpyllifolia 20May14 NS6162 PW

Veronica serpyllifolia NS8549 9May2020 DG

Quite frequent on bare dry ground or as a garden weed.

Height c 10-25 cm. Flower diameter c 2-4 mm - tiny brilliant blue flower.

Flowers/fruits in a spike terminating the stem. Flower-spike usually occupies more than half the stem. Leaves (but not upper flower bracts) strongly toothed. Flower stalks shorter than the calyx.

Annual. Plant often sticky-hairy. Fruit capsule shorter than calyx and about as long as broad.

The plant is usually erect and unbranched except at the base.

Note the toothed leaves lower down the stem.

Veronica arvensis 9Aug2017 NS9820 MP

Veronica arvensis NS8549 9May2020 DG

Veronica arvensis Apr17 NS6066 PW

Later on the plants are still distinctive as erect weeds on paths and stony ground. In this case identification is assisted by the tiny blue flower.

Veronica arvensis 6Jul17 NS621574 PW

In burns or marshy ground, often found where a burn crosses a path.

Most robust speedwell, height c 20-35 cm. Flower c 6-9 mm across.

Hairless plant. Flowers in spikes of 10-30, arising from each of an opposite pair of leaf-axils, main stem not terminating in flower-spike. Leaves glossy and rounded at tip with a white midrib. A somewhat fleshy plant, creeping and rooting in the water or mud, then ascending. Flowers normally deep blue with white eye.

Veronica beccabunga 29May14 NS6056 PW

The white midrib and round, slightly serrated, shiny and slightly fleshy leaves are distinctive.

Veronica beccabunga NT0132 15Sept2018 PW

Can often spread locally. It can be a nuisance blocking up the flow of a small stream hence - beccabunga - because it bungs up the becks.

Veronica beccabunga 29May14 NS6056 PW

In water or wet ground

Height c 10-30 cm. Flower c 4-7 mm across.

Alternating flower-spikes distinguish this species from the other two speedwells with long narrow leaves (V catenata and V anagallis-aquatica). Fruit-capsules flat, notched. Flower-pedicels much longer than their bracts.