Heath Speedwell
ExplorePlants
Heath Speedwell
veronica officinalis
The Heath Speedwell is a pretty little flower that blooms in shades of blue and purple. These flowers are often found in grassy areas and can attract butterflies and bees!
Habitat: Heath Speedwell grows in grasslands, meadows, and open woods across Europe.
Appearance
The Heath Speedwell has fuzzy, oval leaves that grow in pairs along creeping stems. Its tiny, pale blue to lilac flowers, often with darker stripes, appear in slender spikes, creating a delicate ground cover.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyPlantaginaceaeGenusVeronica
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
32
Interesting facts
Its creeping stems can quickly carpet a hillside in soft green.
Its old name, "Forget-Me-Not," hints at its charm!
People once brewed its leaves to make a refreshing "European tea."
The tiny flowers are so delicate, they almost look like miniature orchids.
Special abilities
Ability
Ground Hugger
Heath Speedwell can spread its stems along the ground, forming dense mats that help it anchor and resist being trampled.
Ability
Moisture Magnet
Heath Speedwell has tiny hairs on its leaves and stems that help it capture dew and reduce water loss in dry spots.
Ability
Tough Tangle
Heath Speedwell has a strong, fibrous root system that helps it withstand poor, compacted soils and light foot traffic.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-30 cm
- Spread
- 20-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honeybee
Apis mellifera
Visits for nectar and pollen.
pollinates
Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
An important pollinator species.
eaten by
Spanish Slug
Arion lusitanicus
Slugs consume its leaves.
eaten by
Roe Deer
Capreolus capreolus
Deer browse on its foliage.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Blue SpeedwellCommon SpeedwellSpeedwell
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Heath Speedwell?
The easiest way to identify Heath Speedwell is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Heath Speedwell?
10-30 cm
How wide does Heath Speedwell spread?
20-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Heath Speedwell?
0.5-1 cm
When does Heath Speedwell bloom?
Summer
Is Heath Speedwell edible?
Yes
Is Heath Speedwell toxic?
None
What is Heath Speedwell's lifecycle?
Perennial
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
Jun 6, 2026
East Windsor Hill Historic Districti
Photo attribution
(c) Mark Apgar, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 1, 2026
High Pointi
Photo attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 28, 2026
Days Ferry Historic Districti
Photo attribution
(c) Clay Gibbons, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 28, 2026
Capitol State Foresti
Photo attribution
(c) Lindsey Salmonson, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 28, 2026
Cushman Dami
Photo attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Where to spot
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