WALL SPEEDWELL

CORN SPEEDWELL

Veronica Arvensis

Plantain Family [Plantaginaceae]  
Formerly in: Figwort Family [Scrophulariaceae]

month8mar month8march month8apr month8april month8may month8jun month8june month8jul month8july month8aug month8sep month8sept month8oct

flower
flower8lilac flower8blue		 inner
inner8white		 morph
morph8zygo		 petals
petalsZ4		 stem
stem8round

3rd July 2010, cliffs, Arnside, Cumbria. Photo: © RWD
Growing on a north-facing cliff.


3rd July 2010, cliffs, Arnside, Cumbria. Photo: © RWD
The (toothed and hairy) leaves are oval. The flowering stems were once in a panicle, but now the only flowers that have not turned to fruit are at the extremity.


3rd July 2010, cliffs, Arnside, Cumbria. Photo: © RWD
A low, sprawling plant, barely getting over 6 inches above any surface.


3rd July 2010, cliffs, Arnside, Cumbria. Photo: © RWD
The fruits are heart-shaped, flat, green at first and with a central wirey projection emerging from the nick of the heart.


3rd July 2010, cliffs, Arnside, Cumbria. Photo: © RWD
As with all speedwells, flowers are bi-symmetric with four un-equal bluish petals and prominent stamens.


3rd July 2010, cliffs, Arnside, Cumbria. Photo: © RWD
The anthers are lilac, the same colour as the petals.


3rd July 2010, cliffs, Arnside, Cumbria. Photo: © RWD
Stamens with anthers projecting proud of the flower.


3rd July 2010, cliffs, Arnside, Cumbria. Photo: © RWD
Flat, heart-shaped fruits, green at first, with four sepals at the base.


3rd July 2010, cliffs, Arnside, Cumbria. Photo: © RWD
Leaves are oval, mid-green, and in opposite pairs on the round hairy stem.


3rd July 2010, cliffs, Arnside, Cumbria. Photo: © RWD
The teeth on the (hairy) leaves are coarse but shallow and could be likened more to triangular notches. The (hairy) heart-shaped fruits are more in evidence here.


Some similarities to : many other Speedwells.

Distinguishing Feature : the heart shaped (and flattened) fruits identifies it from other Speedwells.

Sometimes called Rock Speedwell, Veronica fruticans which is a different variety of Speedwell that (in the UK) grows only in Central Scotland, and should not to be confused with Wall Speedwell Veronica arvensis as described above.

Although many of the very numerous species of Speedwell hybridise with one another, Wall Speedwell seems not to engage in this promiscuity.

ANY TEXT GOES HERE

Distribution
family8Plantain family8Plantaginaceae
BSBI maps
genus8Veronica
Veronica

WALL SPEEDWELL

CORN SPEEDWELL

Veronica Arvensis

Plantain Family [Plantaginaceae]  
Formerly in: Figwort Family [Scrophulariaceae]