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HerbWildAnnual

Veronica anagallis-aquatica L.

Water speedwell

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Description

Veronica anagallis-aquatica is a perennial or annual aquatic/semi-aquatic herbaceous plant, usually 20–100 cm tall. Stems are hollow, succulent, smooth, and erect to ascending, often growing partially submerged in water. The plant may root from lower nodes. Leaves are simple, opposite, and sessile or shortly petiolate. Leaf blades are lanceolate to narrowly ovate, usually 2–10 cm long, with serrated margins, pointed apex, and smooth surfaces. Leaves are adapted to moist habitats and remain soft and succulent. Flowers are small, bisexual, zygomorphic, and arranged in elongated axillary racemes. Flowers are pale blue, lilac, or white, usually with darker veins. The corolla is four-lobed, stamens are two, and the ovary is superior. Fruits are flattened kidney-shaped capsules, containing numerous small seeds. Capsules develop on elongated fruiting stalks.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative
Aquatic or semi-aquatic habit. Hollow succulent stems. Opposite lanceolate leaves. Growth along streams and wetlands.
Floral
Small blue-white flowers. Axillary racemes. Two stamens.
Fruit & Seed
Flattened capsule. Numerous tiny seeds.

Distribution

Native range: Native to Europe, Asia, North Africa.

In Pakistan: Found in Pakistan, India, Central Asia, Mediterranean regions.

Phenology

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Flowering
Fruiting
Flowering: Spring–summer Fruiting: Summer–autumn

Ethnobotany & Uses

Traditional Uses
Related Veronica species are traditionally used as Aerial Parts. For Mild inflammation, Skin-related preparations, Respiratory remedies.
Ecological Importance
Important wetland species Provides habitat for aquatic insects, Contributes to streamside vegetation, Helps stabilize wet soils.
Food Uses
Young shoots of some water speedwells are occasionally consumed as leafy vegetables in traditional systems.
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Where it grows on campus

This species is on the campus floristic list but was not pinned during the GPS mapping survey, so it has no map records yet.

Taxonomic Notes

Veronica anagallis-aquatica is a characteristic aquatic member of Plantaginaceae.