Gray field speedwell
Veronica polita

Family: Scrophulariaceae

What it is like

Veronica polita is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from March to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

Sunny places and waste ground in lowland all over Japan.

E. Asia - China, Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Young leaves and stems - raw or cooked. A sweet flavour.

Medicine

Rating: 1

A decoction of the plant is used in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea and metrorrhagia.

Women's complaints: A very vague title, it deals with a miscellany of problems peculiar to the female sex.

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

We have very little information on this species and do not know how hardy it is in Britain, but judging by its native range it should be possible to grow it as a half-hardy annual, and could perhaps also be autumn sown to overwinter. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Easily grown in a moderately fertile moisture retentive well drained soil. Prefers cool summers.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in situ. An autumn sowing might also succeed.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

V. agrestis. V. polita.