Small henbit (Veronica hederifolia, Sp. Pl.: 13 (1753))

Family: Plantaginaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 13 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Veronica

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Europe to Medit. and C. Asia

Description

Small henbit, scientifically known as Veronica hederifolia, is a notable member of the Plantaginaceae family. First documented in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, this plant has since captured the attention of botanists and nature enthusiasts alike.

Widespread across several regions, Small henbit thrives in diverse environments from Macaronesia across Europe to the Mediterranean and Central Asia. Its adaptability highlights not only its resilience but also its significant ecological role in these areas.

The plant is characterized by its delicate, sprawling growth habit. Typically found in meadows, gardens, and sometimes even urban areas, Small henbit’s presence often adds a subtle verdancy to the landscape. Its small, lobed leaves and diminutive stature allow it to blend seamlessly with other vegetation, often going unnoticed unless one takes a closer look.

Despite its modest appearance, Veronica hederifolia is an important species for local ecosystems. It can provide ground cover that helps prevent soil erosion and retains moisture. Furthermore, it serves as a food source for various insects, making it a vital component of the local biodiversity.

Small henbit exemplifies the quiet yet crucial role many such plants play in maintaining environmental balance, highlighting the intricate tapestry of plant life that sustains and enriches our natural world.

Common Names

Deu: efeu-ehrenpreis, efeublättriger ehrenpreis
Eng: ivy-leaved speedwell, ivyleaf speedwell, ivy-leaf speedwell, small henbit, ivy-leaved speedwell agg.
Dan: vedbend-ærenpris
Nno: bergfletteveronika, skroteveronika
Nob: bergfletteveronika, skroteveronika
Nor: femskjærflesme, hjærtflesme, røflesme
Nld: klimopereprijs, klimopereprijs subsp. hederifolia, klimopereprijs subsp. lucorum
Swe: murattitädyke, murgrönsveronika, murgrönsärenpris
Fin: murattitädyke
Ces: rozrazil bře
Fra: véronique à feuilles de lierre
Cym: eiddew y llawr, rhwyddlwyn dail eiddew, rhwyddlwyn daileiddew, rhwyddlwyn eiddewddail
En: Small henbit, Ivy-leaf speedwell, Ivyleaf speedwell, Ivy-leaved Speedwell, Ivy-Leaved Speedwell agg.
Ar: زهرة الحواشي لبلابية الأوراق
Be: Крынічнік плюшчалісты
Bg: Бръшлянолистно великденче
Ca: Morró negre, Herba de sínia
Zh: 常春藤婆婆纳
Kw: Leslesa delidhyow
Cs: Rozrazil laločnatý, Rozrazil bře
Da: Vedbend-Ærenpris
Nl: Klimopereprijs, Klimopbladige ereprijs, Klimopereprijs subsp. hederifolia, Klimopereprijs subsp. lucorum, Klimop Ereprijs
Et: Hõlmlehine mailane
Fi: Murattitädyke
Fr: Véronique à feuilles de lierre, Veronique a feuilles de lierre
De: Efeu-Ehrenpreis, Efeublättriger Ehrenpreis
He: ורוניקה קיסוסית
It: Veronica con foglie d’Edera, Veronica a foglie d’edera
Ja: Furasabasō
Lv: Efejlapu veronika
Lt: Gebenlapė veronika
No: Femskjærflesme, Hjærtflesme, Røflesme
Nb: Bergfletteveronika, Skroteveronika
Nn: Bergfletteveronika, Skroteveronika
Pl: Przetacznik bluszczykowy
Pt: Verónica-de-folha-de-hera
Pt-br: Verônica-folha-de-era
Ru: Вероника плющелистная
Sk: Veronika brečtanolistá
Es: Fuyín, Hiedrezuela terrestre, Hierba gallinera, Moraca, Moruquilla, Oreja de ratón, Pamplina basta, Rabo de gato, Te de Europa, Titarra, Titarrina, Té de Europa, Yerba gallinera, Veronica
Sv: Murgrönsveronika, Revärepris, Murattitädyke, Murgrönsärenpris
Zh-tw: 睫毛婆婆納
Tr: Sarmaşık yapraklı yavşan otu
Uk: Вероніка плющолиста
Cy: Rhwyddlwyn dail eiddew, Eiddew y Llawr, Rhwyddlwyn Daileiddew, Rhwyddlwyn Eiddewddail

Synonyms

• Veronica hederifolia var. umbrosa (Rchb. ex Schult.)
• Veronica hederifolia var. simplex (Opiz ex Schult.)
• Cochlidiosperma hederifolium ((L.) Opiz)
• Pocilla hederifolia ((L.) Fourr.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Feb 17, 2022 by Sabin Poenariu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 11, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2022 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2022 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Feb 3, 2020 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2020 by Busqué Juan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2018 by Laurent Ledante (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2017 by Go Glaso (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 13, 2020 by Jesus Toledano (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Mar 24, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 24, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 11, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 8, 2021 by Caja (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Feb 5, 2019 by Coralie MATRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Mar 21, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 24, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 24, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 20, 2021 by Fabrice Bourriquet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2021 by Fabrice Bourriquet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 5, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 26, 2022 by Petr Harant (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Feb 25, 2018 by Jose Luis Romero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 24, 2020 by arne (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 11, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 25, 2018 by Jose Luis Romero (cc-by-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.

© 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/3172070)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:812075-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Veronica hederifolia L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.5

Ph minimum: 5.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 7