Seasonal Wild Flowers

Wood Speedwell

Veronica montana

Plantaginaceae

April to July

It is found throughout the country except for parts of the East.

See the BSBI distribution map for Wood Speedwell

It grows in damp, slightly acid soils under mixed deciduous

woodland and in shady hedge banks and scrubland.

Wood Speedwell in a native, perennial, sprawling, patch-forming,

hairy herb growing up to 40cm.

Flowers are in an erect spike.

They have 4-petals, are up to 1cm across and vary from pale

lilac to blue.

There are 2 pale stamens and a single style and stigma.

Stems are hairy.

Leaves are pale green, opposite, toothed and oval.

They are larger and lighter green than in Germander Speedwell.

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Wood Speedwell, Beaminster, West Dorset

Flower spike

Lilac flowers - stamens

Stamens and style

Oval, toothed, opposite leaves