Veronica agrestis is one of the less common speedwell species, recognisable from its pale corolla and almost white lower petal, and by its oblong (rather than ovate) sepals.
Common name:
Grey field speedwell
Family:
Scientific name:
Veronica agrestis
Main flower color:
Range:
Mainly in south and central England
Height:
Up to 10 cm
Habitat:
Fields, disturbed ground, exposed locations, often on acidic soils
Flowers:
Four oblong sepals, blunt at the tip, and four pale blue petals, the upper three with darker blue stripes, and a longer, narrower, almost pure white lower petal. Attached by short stalks. Flowers are solitary, at the leaf nodes. Flowers are relatively small, at most 5 mm in diameter
Fruit:
Two-celled capsules, covered with short, straight, glandular hairs
Leaves:
Ovate, opposite, coarsely toothed, with a sparse covering of bristly hairs
Season:
March to November
Rarity:
★★★★★
