Veronica anagallis-aquatica L.   Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)   Europe   Speedwell   Water Speedwell

                             April Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Glabrous +/- succulent perennial, rhizomatous and creeping at base, the main stems 1-10 dm. long; lvs. of flowering stems +/- cordate clasping, lance-oblong, acute; racemes mostly many-fld.; the fruiting pedicels ascending, 6-8 mm. long; calyx 4-4.5 mm. long, mostly exceeding the caps.; corolla 4-5 mm. broad, pale lavender, with violet lines; caps. scarcely notched.

Habitat:  Wet meadows, stream banks, slow streams below 2500 m. CA-FP; widely  naturalized in N. Am., S Am.  May-Sept.

Name:  Possibly named for St. Veronica, because of the markings on some species resemble the markings on her sacred handkerchief.  (Dale 191).  Anagallis comes from two Greek words meaning "to delight in again," since the flowers open when the sun strikes them.  (Dale 191).    Latin, aquaticus, living in or near the water.  (Jaeger 23).  

General:  Uncommon in the study area except along the ditch bordering Back Bay Dr., particularly at its northerly end near Eastbluff Dr., where it is common.  Found in the 23rd St. creek in April 1996. (my comments).       These plants were once widely used as a preventative for scurvy.  The leaves and stems may be eaten in salads or used as potherbs.  (Kirk 75).      The leaves and flowers of V. officinalis, a native of Europe that also is found in Washington and Oregon, have been used as a tonic, alterative and diuretic, and with apparent benefit for expectorant and diaphoretic purposes.  The plant was formerly very extensively used both in Sweden and Germany as a substitute for tea. (Meyer 117, 75).      About 150 species of herbs or subshrubs, distributed over the temp. and cold regions, but rare in the tropics.  (Bailey 885).       Widely naturalized in North and South America.  (Hickman, Ed. 1066).        The family Scrophulariaceae as traditionally recognized will be altered severely by comparison of DNA sequences from various genes within the species.  The new classifications will assign the genera of Scrophulariaceae into as least seven groups that will bear the rank of family.  The genus Veronica will be in new family Veronicaceae.  (Olmstead, Richard G.  “Whatever Happened to the Scrophulariaceae?”  FREMONTIA, a Journal of the California Native Plant Society Vol. 30 No. 2 April 2002 p. 13-22).          No changes will be made in the upper bay study at this time. (my comment).

Text Ref:  Collins 135; Dale 190; Hickman, Ed. 1066; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 828.

Photo Ref:  April 2 83 # 10A; May 2 83 #23; May 3 84 # 12.

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by F. Roberts.

First Found:  April 1983.

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 282.

Have plant specimen.

Last edit 11/8/04.  

                                   May Photo                                                                    April Photo