Speedwells – well represented on University land!

Speedwells have small blue (occasionally white, lilac or pink) flowers, either occurring as single flowers or in a spike. There are 20 native species of Speedwell (Veronica) in Britain. A surprisingly large number can be found on campus, with even more occurring on the University’s farm at Sonning.

Of the 20 British species, three (V. alpina, V. fructicans and V. verna) are restricted to mountains and three more (V. praecox, V. spicata and V. triphyllos) are rarities in the Breckland area of Norfolk and Suffolk. The other 14 are listed below:

• Wetland or marsh:
  • Brooklime (V. beccabunga)
  • Blue water speedwell (V. anagallis-aquatica)
  • Pink water speedwell (V. catenata)
  • Marsh speedwell (V. scutellata)
• Heathland
  • Heath speedwell (V. officinalis)
• Woodland
  • Wood speedwell (V. montana)
  • Germander speedwell (V. chamaedrys)
• Disturbed ground/wasteland/arable fields
  • Thyme-leaved speedwell (V. serpyllifolia)
  • Ivy-leaved speedwell (V. hederifolia)
  • Slender speedwell (V. filiformis)
  • Wall speedwell (V. arvensis)
  • Common field-speedwell (V. persica)
  • Green field-speedwell (V. agrestis)
  • Grey field-speedwell (V. polita)

There is also a non-native, but self perpetuating, species of speedwell on campus: American speedwell (V. peregrina). This has become established on the experimental plots behind the greenhouses by the Harborne Building.