Common Name: Common Speedwell

General Information

Veronica officinalis is a herbaceous perennial lant producing a cluster of unbranched, procumbent stems that root at the nodes; the plant can grow 10 - 35cm tall, occasionally to 50cm[].
The plant is harvested from the wild mainly for medicinal use. It is cultivated in central and northern Italy for the preparation of a herbal tea[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eurasia - Norway to Portugal, east to the Caucasus and Turkey

Habitat

Heaths, moors, grassland, dry hedgebanks and coppices, often on dry soils[, ]. In forests, along forest edges, in meadows, in mountains up to the subalpine zone[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.15 m
Pollinators	Flies, Bees
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in a moderately fertile moisture retentive well drained soil[]. Prefers cool summers[]. Thrives in light shade or in open sunny positions[].

Edible Uses

A bitter tangy tea is made from the fresh flowering herb or the dried leaves[, , , ]. The dried leaves can be added to tea blends[].

Medicinal

The leaves and roots are alterative, astringent, mildly diuretic, mildly expectorant, stomachic and tonic[, , , , ]. They have been employed in the treatment of pectoral and nephritic complaints, haemorrhages, skin diseases and the treatment of wounds[], though the plant is considered to be obsolete in modern herbalism[].
The leaves are harvested in the summer and dried for later use[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow autumn in a cold frame[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
If you have sufficient quantity, the seed can be sown in situ in the autumn or the spring.
Division in autumn or spring[]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.