Veronica beccabunga: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:48, 9 February 2025

Species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae

Veronica beccabunga, commonly known as brooklime, is a species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, and has been introduced to North America.

Description

Veronica beccabunga is a perennial herbaceous plant that typically grows in wet habitats such as streamsides, ditches, and marshes. It has a creeping growth habit and can form dense mats. The stems are fleshy and can root at the nodes. The leaves are opposite, glossy, and dark green, with a slightly serrated margin. The flowers are small, blue, and borne in racemes. Each flower has four petals and is about 4-6 mm in diameter.

Distribution and habitat

Veronica beccabunga is widely distributed across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. It prefers wet, marshy environments and is often found along the edges of streams and rivers, in ditches, and in other damp areas. It has also been introduced to North America, where it can be found in similar habitats.

Ecology

The plant provides habitat and food for various insects, including bees and butterflies, which are attracted to its flowers. It is also a host plant for some species of moths. The dense mats formed by Veronica beccabunga can help stabilize soil in wet areas, reducing erosion.

Uses

Historically, Veronica beccabunga has been used in traditional medicine for its purported diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. However, it is not widely used in modern herbal medicine.

Related pages

References

Stace, C. A. (2010). New Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press.
Parnell, J., & Curtis, T. (2012). Webb's An Irish Flora. Cork University Press.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Veronica beccabunga''', also known as [[Brooklime]] or European speedwell, is a perennial plant species of the genus [[Veronica (plant)|Veronica]]. It is native to Europe and western Asia, but has also been introduced to North America. The plant is typically found in wet environments such as marshes, ditches, and along the banks of streams and rivers.
+{{short description|Species of flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae}}
+{{Taxobox
+| name = Veronica beccabunga
+| image = Veronica_beccabunga_plant2.jpg
+| image_caption = Veronica beccabunga in bloom
+| regnum = Plantae
+| unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
+| unranked_classis = Eudicots
+| unranked_ordo = Asterids
+| ordo = Lamiales
+| familia = Plantaginaceae
+| genus = Veronica
+| species = V. beccabunga
+| binomial = Veronica beccabunga
+| binomial_authority = L.
+}}
-== Description ==
+'''Veronica beccabunga''', commonly known as '''brooklime''', is a species of flowering plant in the family [[Plantaginaceae]]. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, and has been introduced to North America.
-Veronica beccabunga has a creeping habit, with stems that can reach up to 60 cm in length. The leaves are opposite, oval-shaped, and have a glossy appearance. The flowers are small, with four blue or violet petals, and are produced in the leaf axils. The fruit is a small capsule containing numerous seeds.
-== Habitat and Distribution ==
+==Description==
-Veronica beccabunga is a plant of wet habitats, often found growing in shallow water or on wet mud. It is common throughout Europe and western Asia, and has been introduced to other parts of the world, including North America. In the UK, it is a common plant of ditches, streams, and marshes.
+''Veronica beccabunga'' is a perennial herbaceous plant that typically grows in wet habitats such as streamsides, ditches, and marshes. It has a creeping growth habit and can form dense mats. The stems are fleshy and can root at the nodes. The leaves are opposite, glossy, and dark green, with a slightly serrated margin. The flowers are small, blue, and borne in racemes. Each flower has four petals and is about 4-6 mm in diameter.
-== Uses ==
+==Distribution and habitat==
-Historically, Veronica beccabunga has been used in [[herbal medicine]] for its supposed diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. It has also been used as a salad green in some cultures.
+''Veronica beccabunga'' is widely distributed across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. It prefers wet, marshy environments and is often found along the edges of streams and rivers, in ditches, and in other damp areas. It has also been introduced to North America, where it can be found in similar habitats.
-== Cultivation ==
+==Ecology==
-Veronica beccabunga is a hardy plant that can tolerate a range of conditions, but prefers wet or damp habitats. It can be grown from seed or by division of established plants. It is a popular plant for water gardens and pond edges.
+The plant provides habitat and food for various insects, including bees and butterflies, which are attracted to its flowers. It is also a host plant for some species of moths. The dense mats formed by ''Veronica beccabunga'' can help stabilize soil in wet areas, reducing erosion.
-== Conservation Status ==
+==Uses==
-Veronica beccabunga is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction and is listed as of "Least Concern" by the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature|IUCN]].
+Historically, ''Veronica beccabunga'' has been used in traditional medicine for its purported diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. However, it is not widely used in modern herbal medicine.
-== See Also ==
+==Related pages==
-* [[Veronica (plant)|Veronica]]
+* [[Veronica (plant)]]
-* [[Brooklime]]
+* [[Plantaginaceae]]
-* [[Herbal medicine]]
+==References==
+* Stace, C. A. (2010). ''New Flora of the British Isles''. Cambridge University Press.
+* Parnell, J., & Curtis, T. (2012). ''Webb's An Irish Flora''. Cork University Press.
+[[Category:Veronica|beccabunga]]
 [[Category:Flora of Europe]]
+[[Category:Flora of North Africa]]
 [[Category:Flora of Asia]]
-[[Category:Veronica (plant)]]
-{{Flora-stub}}