Heath Speedwell (Veronica officinalis)

Family: Scrophulariaceae / Plantaginaceae (APG)

Common name: Heath Speedwell

Scientific name: Veronica officinalis

Date taken: 9/6/2024

Notes: A common species of speedwell in acid soils. Compared to other species of speedwell, it can be identified by - 

1. Multiple flowers forming a spike
2. Leaves and stems tends creep on the ground, but sends out a erect spike away from the ground when flowering
3. Often sends out creeping shoots with several pairs of opposite, tidily arranged, hairy leaves
4. Lilac-coloured flowers

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

Family: Scrophulariaceae / Plantaginaceae (APG)

Common name: Foxglove

Scientific name: Digitalis purpurea

Date taken: 9/6/2024

Notes: Iconic species in acid grasslands. 

Ivy-leaved Speedwell (Veronica hederifolia)

Family: Scrophulariaceae / Plantaginaceae (APG)

Common name: Ivy-leaved Speedwell

Scientific name: Veronica hederifolia

Date taken: 25/2/2023

Notes: Solitary flowers on leaf-axils. As the common name suggests, the species possesses palmately-loved leaves that, in some sense, resemble that of ivy.

Common Field-speedwell (Veronica persica)

Family: Scrophulariaceae / Plantaginaceae (APG)

Common name: Common Field-speedwell

Scientific name: Veronica persica

Date taken: 25/2/2023

Notes: Common weed in cultivated fields and wastelands. With solitary, axillary flowers. Similar to Grey Field-speedwell (V. polita), but compared to Grey Field-speedwell, fruits of this species have long glandular hairs instead of a mix of short non-glandular and glandular hairs. Also similar to Green Field-speedwell (V. agrestis), but can be distinuished by flower colour and leaf shape. 

Brooklime (Veronica beccabunga)

Family: Scrophulariaceae / Plantaginaceae (APG)

Common name: Brooklime

Scientific name: Veronica beccabunga

Date taken: 12/06/2021

Notes: Fairly large and upright plant by Veronica standards. Characterised by its hairless leaves and stems. Wetland plant mainly found in ditches and ponds.