Common Field Speedwell (Veronica persica)

 

I used to know common field speedwell as bird's eye, I am not sure why when I look at it now! It is a common species of speedwell but is probably not the one we are most familiar with; that is certainly germander speedwell which is seen hedgerows and grassy places almost anywhere.

Yes, common field speedwell is, as its name suggests, also common but to see it you need to go out into farm fields or other areas where the earth is frequently tilled, it is not uncommon in gardens. It is a low growing, sprawling plant which, again, is unlike germander speedwell. It also has sky blue flowers with the lower petal usually white unlike the all blue flower of germander.

Common field speedwell is an alien species, first recorded in 1825 and has colonised and can be found across much of Britain where arable farming is practised. The Latin name of persica gives a clue to its origins, Persia. 

This plant is not known to provide any form of herbal benefit and is just a weed. I think it is quite an attractive weed if that is the case.