Creeping speedwell (Veronica filiformis, Trans. Linn. Soc. 1: 195 (1791))

Family: Plantaginaceae

Author: Sm.

Bibliography: Trans. Linn. Soc. 1: 195 (1791)

Year: 1791

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Veronica

Vegetable: False

Observations: Krym, N. & E. Türkiye to Caucasus

Description

Creeping speedwell, scientifically known as Veronica filiformis, is an enduringly charming member of the Plantaginaceae family. This perennial herb thrives across diverse geographies, such as the Crimea, eastern Turkey, and stretching into the Caucasus. It was first documented in a formal capacity in 1791, a milestone noted in the Transactions of the Linnaean Society.

True to its name, the Creeping speedwell has a subtle yet enchanting presence with its fine, thread-like foliage. Its low-growing, trailing habit makes it an excellent ground cover in gardens, where it adds a carpet of lush green interspersed with delicate, starry blue or lilac flowers. These blossoms typically arise in the spring, delighting observers with their soft, iridescent hues.

Despite its delicate appearance, Creeping speedwell is resilient and adaptable. It flourishes in a variety of settings, from sunlit meadows to shaded woodland floors. This versatility, coupled with its minimal maintenance needs, makes it a favored choice among gardeners seeking to enhance the aesthetic appeal of their landscapes.

One notable aspect of Veronica filiformis is its gentle propagation method. The plant easily roots at the nodes when its stems come into contact with the soil, ensuring a gradual and natural spread. This characteristic contributes to its effective coverage and utility in preventing soil erosion.

In its native habitats of Crimea, eastern Turkey, and the Caucasus, Creeping speedwell plays a role in the local ecosystems, providing ground cover and possibly acting as a minor food source for native fauna. Its ability to adapt to different environments, ranging from open fields to forest underbrush, highlights its ecological flexibility.

In conclusion, Veronica filiformis, or Creeping speedwell, is much more than a simple ground cover. It is a testament to nature’s ability to combine beauty with resilience, offering both ornamental value and functional advantages to gardeners and natural landscapes alike. From its historical documentation to its pervasive presence in various regions, this unassuming plant continues to captivate botanists and garden enthusiasts worldwide.

Common Names

Eng: creeping speedwell, creeping veronica, slender speedwell, threadstalk speedwell, whetzel weed, hair-like speedwell, thread-stalked speedwell
Nld: draadereprijs
Deu: faden-ehrenpreis, fadenehrenpreis, feinstieliger ehrenpreis
Dan: plæne-ærenpris, tråd-ærenpris
Pol: przetacznik nitkowaty
Lit: siūlinė veronika
Ita: veronica filiforme
Fra: véronique filiforme
Nob: gravveronika
Nno: gravveronika
Hun: gyepes veronika
Swe: kaukasiantädyke, trådveronika, murveronika
Fin: kaukasiantädyke
Est: nitjas mailane
Lav: pavedienu veronika
Ces: rozrazil nitkovitý, veronika nitkovitá
Cym: rhwyddlwyn crwnddail, rhwyddlwyn main, rhwyddlwyni main
En: Creeping speedwell, Slender speedwell, Threadstalk speedwell, Whetzel weed, Creeping veronica, Hair-like speedwell, Thread-stalked speedwell, Round-leaved Speedwell
Ar: زهرة الحواشي الخيطية
Cs: Rozrazil nitkovitý, Veronika nitkovitá
Da: Tråd-Ærenpris, Plæne-ærenpris
Nl: Draadereprijs, Draadvormige ereprijs, Draad Ereprijs
Et: Niitjas mailane, Nitjas mailane
Fi: Kaukasiantädyke
Fr: Véronique filiforme
De: Faden-Ehrenpreis, Fadenehrenpreis, Feinstieliger Ehrenpreis, Faden Ehrenpreis
Hu: Gyepes veronika
It: Veronica filiforme
Lv: Pavedienu veronika
Lt: Siūlinė veronika
Nb: Gravveronika
Nn: Gravveronika
Pl: Przetacznik nitkowaty
Ru: Вероника нитевидная
Sv: Trådveronika, Kaukasiantädyke, Murveronika
Tr: Tel maviş
Uk: Вероніка нитковидна
Cy: Rhwyddlwyn main, Rhwyddlwyn Crwnddail, Rhwyddlwyni Main

Synonyms

• Veronica sibthorpiifolia (Chaub.)

Distribution

• North Caucasus (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Mar 29, 2021 by Brigitte SÉGAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 24, 2022 by charlotte Rose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2022 by Pietro Carnevale Lavezzoli (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2020 by Kampf Robert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2020 by Daniel Smith (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 9, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2020 by Matějček Antonín (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 31, 2022 by Татьяна (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 24, 2022 by charlotte Rose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 4, 2020 by Bercia700 (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 19, 2021 by Mathieu Mascles (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2022 by Jim Knopf (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2022 by Jim Knopf (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2022 by Michal Swiecicki (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 22, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Louis CHEYPE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 5, 2022 by mohammad fazel dehkordi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2022 by Jim Knopf (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 11, 2021 by Tóthová Bianka (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 25, 2021 by claire2lune (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Feb 21, 2021 by Diane Nanninga (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2021 by Luigi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 30, 2021 by Samantha smith (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3172100)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:811980-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Veronica filiformis Sm.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 6