How do you recognise Germander speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys)?

Leaf

Jean-Jacques Houdré, Tela Botanica · CC BY-SA 2.0

Germander speedwell

Veronica chamaedrys L.

Also known as: Bird's-eye speedwell

Family: Plantaginaceae

10 to 30 cm

Meadows, banks, woodland edges, lawns

Flowering: April – July

Full sun

Part shade

Shade

Very hardy, to -30°C

❓ How do you recognise this plant?

Very bright blue with a white centre — one of the earliest touches of blue in meadows. Spiked speedwell bears its blue-violet flowers grouped in an upright spike at the top of the stems, whereas germander speedwell is a small carpeting perennial with bright blue flowers borne singly in the leaf axils.

🍃 Leaves

Opposite, ovate, toothed, slightly crinkled

🌸 Flowers

Small, bright blue with a white centre, four unequal petals

🍎 Fruits

Small capsule, flattened and heart-shaped

🪵 Bark

Stem covered with two opposite lines of hairs

🗺️ Distribution

Europe, western Asia; very common in France in meadows and on banks

🐝 Value for pollinators

Small blue flowers visited by solitary bees and hoverflies in spring

✂️ Horticultural uses

Little grown in ornamental gardens, occurring naturally in meadows and flowery lawns

⚠️ Possible toxicity

No known toxicity

⚠️ Look-alike species

Germander speedwell

Veronica chamaedrys

Spiked speedwell

Veronica spicata

Spiked speedwell bears its blue-violet flowers grouped in an upright spike at the top of the stems, whereas germander speedwell is a small carpeting perennial with bright blue flowers borne singly in the leaf axils.

🌿 Other Plantaginaceae to discover

ℹ️ Educational profile — do not use it to judge whether a plant is edible or safe.

🌱 This database is constantly evolving — species and information are added and corrected regularly. Spotted a mistake? Report it below.