WATER SPEEDWELL

Veronica Anagallis-Aquatica

Plantain Family [Plantaginaceae]

[formerly in Figwort Family [Scrophulariaceae]]

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19th July 2005, Lathkilldale, Derbyshire.

Photo: © RWD

Grows in shallow streams and is much taller than Brooklime and with flowers more lilac to mauve than blue. The notice warns against throwing bread at birds.

19th July 2005, Lathkilldale, Derbyshire.

Photo: © RWD

Like Brooklime the stems are thickish and taper quite quickly. Unlike Brooklime, the leaves are lanceolate and also rather dock-like, being wavy or slightly crinkled. Text goes here

19th July 2005, Lathkilldale, Derbyshire.

Photo: © RWD

Flowers in several spikes on one plant. Leaves in opposite pairs up the stem.

19th July 2005, Lathkilldale, Derbyshire.

Photo: © RWD

Flowers have four petals, and are pale blue to lilac.

19th July 2005, Lathkilldale, Derbyshire.

Photo: © RWD

The bi-symmetric flowers has four un-even petals with a white and green centre.

19th July 2005, Lathkilldale, Derbyshire.

Photo: © RWD

The lanceolate leaves have slight forwardly-directed teeth and prominent veins.

Hybridises with : Pink Water Speedwell (Veronica catenata) to produce the much rarer Veronica × lackschewitzii (Veronica anagalis-aquatica × catenata). Easily Confused with: Pink Water Speedwell, which is pink rather than pale blue/lilac.

Some similarities to : Brooklime.

Always a bit tricky to approach anywhere near without getting very wet unless wearing waders. A long telephoto lens come into its own.

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Distribution
family8Plantain family8Plantaginaceae

BSBI maps

Veronica