Seasonal Wild Flowers

Blue Water-speedwell

Veronica anagallis-aquatica

Plantaginaceae

Water Speedwell

Late May to August

It is found throughout the country but is less common in

parts of the North, the West Midlands and the far

Southwest.

See the BSBI distribution map for Blue Water-speedwell

It grows by rivers, streams and ponds, and in ditches.

Blue-Water-speedwell is an attractive, native, annual,

upright herb, growing up to 50cm.

Flowers are pale blue, up to 1cm and in spikes.

There are 2 white stamens with purple anthers.

There is a white style with a capitate stigma.

Calyx lobes are ovate/lanceolate.

Bracts are linear.

The stems are green and fleshy and the leaves are

lanceolate and up to 12cm.

It spreads from seed and rooted stem fragments.

It can grow vegetatively (non-flowering) in shallow

water, only flowering when it emerges.

It is easily confused with Pink Water-speedwell (June),

with which it hybridises.

Blue Water-speedwell, Hooke, Dorset

Flower spike

Blue anthers - newly opened flower

Linear bracts

Calyx lobes, style and stigma

Lanceolate leaves, green stem