Gypsyweed, Veronica officinalis
Description
The Heath Speedwell, also called Gypsyweed, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the plantain family, native to Europe and western Asia. It forms wide mats in open areas, such as fields, meadows and gardens, sending up short vertical shoots with soft violet flowers from May to August. Speedwell is mainly used as a medicinal remedy for a range of ailments, but can also be used to produce washes, tinctures and teas, or be finely chopped and added to salads, stews, sauces and pesto.
Gypsyweed is commonly used to make a very popular tea called Thé D'Europe.
Gypsyweed Checklist
Habitat
🌲 Coniferous Woodland.
🐑 Grassland, including paddocks, fields and meadows.
🏡 Urban Green Spaces, including scrubland, parks and gardens.
🚜 Hedgerows, including field edges.
Season
🌞 June–August
Leaves
☘️ The hairy leaves are short-stalked, elliptic–ovate, with a tapered base, and finely toothed edges. They grow on opposite sides of the stem.
Flowers
🌷 The pretty little flowers are wheel-shaped, four-petalled and pale blue–purple, approx. 8 mm wide.
Stem
🌱 Thin, branching and soft-haired. 10–30 cm.
Edible Parts
☘️ Leaves
🌷 Flowers
Aroma / Taste
👃 Indistinct Aroma.
👅 Slightly floral, slightly bitter.
ID Notes
🟩 ID Difficulty - Beginner
👀 The pretty, pale blue-purple, four-lobed flowers are a key identifier of this plant.
Uses
☕️ Beverage - Flowers and leaves can be used to make teas or other drinks.
🥗 Salad - The flowers and leaves can be eaten raw and added to salads.
🌺 Garnish - Flowers can be used as a pretty garnish.
🥬 Green - The leaves can be cooked as a vegetable and added to stews.
🧉 Condiment - Leaves can be used to make pestos and sauces.
💊 Herbal Remedy - Is often used medicinally.