Pale speedwell (Veronica cymbalaria, Mém. Véronique Cymb.: 3 (1798))

Family: Plantaginaceae

Author: Bodard

Bibliography: Mém. Véronique Cymb.: 3 (1798)

Year: 1798

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Veronica

Vegetable: False

Observations: Medit. to W. Iran and Arabian Pen.

Description

Pale speedwell, scientifically known as Veronica cymbalaria, represents a delicate and widely admired member of the Plantaginaceae family. Bodard first described this plant in 1798 in the work “Mém. Véronique Cymb.” and since then, it has been recognized for its subtle beauty and robust adaptability.

Originating from the Mediterranean region, Pale speedwell has managed to thrive over a vast geographical range, including Western Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. This sprawling distribution highlights the plant’s versatility and tenacity in varied environmental conditions, from temperate climates to arid landscapes.

The plant itself is noted for its diminutive and understated charm. The foliage often exhibits a pale green hue, which is where its common name, Pale speedwell, is derived from. The leaves typically vary in shape, adding an extra layer of visual interest to its delicate form. During its blooming period, Pale speedwell produces flowers that are slight but intricate, appealing to those who appreciate the subtler aspects of nature’s artistry.

In a botanical context, Pale speedwell serves as a fascinating study subject due to its wide habitat range and resilience. For horticulturists and garden enthusiasts alike, this species offers an aesthetically pleasing addition to gardens and natural landscapes, particularly in regions with similar climatic conditions to its native lands.

The adaptability of Veronica cymbalaria underscores the evolutionary success of the Plantaginaceae family, showcasing nature’s ability to flourish across diverse and challenging environments.

Common Names

Eng: glandular speedwell, pale speedwell
Deu: zimbel-ehrenpreis
Swe: murrevsveronika
Hun: pintyőveronika
Nld: schijnklimopereprijs
En: Pale speedwell, Glandular speedwell
Nl: Schijnklimopereprijs
Fr: Véronique cymbalaire
De: Zimbel-Ehrenpreis, Zimbelblättriger Ehrenpreis, Zymbelkraut-Ehrenpreis
He: ורוניקה לבנה
Hu: Pintyőveronika
It: Veronica a foglie di Cimbalaria
Ru: Вероника цимбаляриевая
Es: Gallinita blanca
Sv: Murrevsveronika

Synonyms

• Veronica longipes (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Veronica cuneata (Guss.)
• Veronica cymbalaria var. longipes ((Jord. & Fourr.) Rouy)
• Veronica cymbalaria var. fallacina ((Jord. & Fourr.) Rouy)
• Veronica cymbalaria subsp. glandulosa (Peev)
• Pocilla cymbalaria ((Bodard) Fourr.)
• Veronica cymbalariifolia var. fallacina ((Jord. & Fourr.) Rouy)
• Veronica fallacina (Jord. & Fourr.)
• Veronica cymbalariifolia var. longipes ((Jord. & Fourr.) Rouy)
• Cochlidiosperma cymbalaria ((Bodard) Opiz)
• Veronica bodardii (Jord. & Fourr.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)

Additional Images

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

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

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

Habit

Taken Feb 18, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2022 by Francois Mansour (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 25, 2022 by Anthony Raoux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 15, 2021 by Barbara Robine (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 16, 2022 by Stéphane Mars (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 6, 2022 by romain portes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 27, 2021 by Angelos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 27, 2020 by Cheref Madjid (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 1, 2020 by Julian Diaz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 16, 2022 by Stéphane Mars (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Feb 17, 2022 by Athos Zanarini (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 1, 2020 by Julian Diaz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 6, 2021 by Léo TETREL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 16, 2022 by Stéphane Mars (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 16, 2022 by Stéphane Mars (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Feb 1, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2021 by Viti Pietro (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Samuli Koivulahti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 2, 2022 by Pat Hapon (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Feb 26, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 10, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 10, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 11, 2022 by Hamza Ali (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 11, 2019 by Viviane Rezzoug (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2021 by sophie begin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 27, 2022 by Antoine Luciani (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 13, 2020 by MICHEL DUSSERE (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3172068)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:811879-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Veronica cymbalaria Bodard)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Bloom months: [‘feb’, ‘mar’, ‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’, ‘oct’]