Family: Plantaginaceae
Author: Jacq.
Bibliography: Enum. Stirp. Vindob.: 200 (1762)
Year: 1762
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Veronica
Vegetable: False
Observations: Greenland, Europe
Description
Rock speedwell, scientifically known as Veronica fruticans, is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Plantaginaceae family. First described in the scientific literature by Jacquin in 1762, rock speedwell thrives in a variety of habitats across Greenland and Europe.
This resilient plant is often found in rocky, alpine environments where it can withstand the harsh conditions characteristic of such regions. It exhibits a compact growth form, which helps it to endure strong winds and low temperatures. The leaves of Veronica fruticans are distinctive for their small, ovate shape, and are arranged in opposite pairs along the stems.
Blooming primarily during the summer months, rock speedwell produces small but striking flowers. These blooms display a vibrant blue-purple hue, occasionally adorned with white streaks, which not only add a splash of color to its typically austere habitat but also attract various pollinators. The flowers gather in loose spikes, making them easily accessible to insects such as bees and butterflies, which are essential for the plant’s pollination.
Rock speedwell plays a critical role in its ecosystem. Beyond contributing to the biodiversity of its surroundings, it prevents soil erosion with its robust root system. This allows it to stabilize the rocky substrate where it grows, creating an environment where other plant species can also take root.
Given its specialized growing conditions, Veronica fruticans is of particular interest to botanists and ecologists studying alpine and subarctic flora. It serves as an indicator species for the health of these habitats, with its presence signaling a stable and thriving ecosystem.
In summary, rock speedwell is a remarkable plant that not only captivates with its delicate beauty but also underscores the delicate balance of alpine and subarctic environments. Its endurance and ecological significance make it a vital component of the regions it inhabits.
Common Names
Deu: felsen-ehrenpreis
Nob: bergveronika
Nno: bergveronika
Swe: klippveronika, varputädyke, klippärenpris
Nor: krat-flesme
Eng: rock speedwell, woodystem speedwell
Fin: varputädyke
Fra: véronique buissonnante, véronique des rochers
Gla: lus-crè na creige
Cym: rhwyddlwyn y graig, rhwyddlwyni’r graig
En: Rock speedwell, Woodystem speedwell
Bg: Храстово великденче
Nl: Rotsereprijs
Fi: Varputädyke
Fr: Véronique buissonnante, Véronique des rochers, Véronique buissonante
De: Felsen-Ehrenpreis
Is: Steindepla
It: Veronica fruticosa
No: Bergveronika, Krat-flesme
Nb: Bergveronika
Nn: Bergveronika
Pl: Przetacznik krzewinkowy
Ru: Вероника кустящаяся
Gd: Lus-crè na Creige
Sv: Klippveronika, Varputädyke, Klippärenpris
Uk: Вероніка кущикова
Cy: Rhwyddlwyn y graig, Rhwyddlwyni’r Graig
Synonyms
- Veronica fruticulosa var. fruticans ((Jacq.) Bolzon)
- Veronica fruticulosa subsp. fruticans ((Jacq.) Rouy)
Distribution
- Austria (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Føroyar (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greenland (native)
- Iceland (native)
- Italy (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Norway (native)
- Poland (native)
- Romania (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Jun 24, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 10, 2001 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 6, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 19, 2019 by My Lord (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 18, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jun 24, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 24, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 24, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 16, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 18, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Aug 6, 2021 by Pietro Brignoli (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 3, 2022 by parramon marta (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 18, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 18, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Apr 28, 2019 by gasparetto luciano (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 18, 2012 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 24, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 16, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jul 1, 2007 by Tela Botanica − La Spada ARTURO (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 12, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 6, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 6, 2021 by Pietro Brignoli (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 12, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Sep 1, 2016 by Tela Botanica − La Spada ARTURO (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 6, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 23, 2014 by Tela Botanica − liliane pessotto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 23, 2014 by Tela Botanica − liliane pessotto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 23, 2014 by Tela Botanica − liliane pessotto (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3172054)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:812007-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Veronica fruticans Jacq.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Shrub
Growth
Light: 8
Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]