Plant Name
Scientific Name: Veronica anagallis-aquatica
Synonyms: Veronica anagallis, V. catenata, V. comosa, V. connata, V. glandifera, V. grandiflora, V. × lackschewitzii, V. micromeria, V. salina
Common Names: Water Speedwell, Sessile Water-speedwell, Brook-pimpernell
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Biennial, Perennial
Growth Habit: Herb/Forb
Arizona Native Status: Native
Habitat: Riparian. This water-loving wildflower grows in and along streams in the desert, uplands, and mountains.
Flower Color: Pale violet-blue
Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
Height: To 40 inches (102 cm) tall
Description: The flowers are clustered in axillary racemes. The individual flowers are 1/4 inch (6 mm) wide and have 4 purple-streaked lobes with white at the base, 2 stamens, and 1 stigma. The leaves mostly clasp the stems and are bright green, hairless, toothed or not, elliptic to ovate in shape, and mostly sessile. Some of the lower leaves may have short petioles (leaf stalks) and are non-clasping.
The similar American Speedwell (Veronica americana) has leaves with short petioles, while Corn Speedwell (Veronica arvensis) has hairy leaves.
Special Characteristics
Edible – The leaves are edible either raw or cooked.
Classification
Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass: Asteridae
Order: Scrophulariales
Family: Scrophulariaceae – Figwort family
Genus: Veronica L. – speedwell
Species: Veronica anagallis-aquatica L. – water speedwell
More About This Plant