About Veronica montana L.
Taxon Identity
Veronica montana L. is a perennial plant that grows up to 20 cm tall.
Growth Habit
It has a sprawling growth habit that lets it spread across the forest floor. Its stems are covered in tiny, soft glandular hairs, and stems that come into contact with damp soil can develop roots.
Leaf Characteristics
The leaves are ovate, toothed, also covered in hairs, and grow in symmetrical pairs along the stem.
Flower Traits
This plant produces multiple lilac-coloured flowers from late spring to early summer; the flowers are quite small, measuring around 7 mm across.
Photographic Resource
Photographic examples of this species can be viewed on iNaturalist.
Similar Species
It has two similar species: Veronica chamaedrys has duller, hairier, narrower leaves that are usually almost unstalked, and its stem hairs are typically concentrated in two lines; Veronica persica has solitary flowers that emerge from the stem alongside leaf stalks.
Native Range Extent
The native range of this species stretches from Europe to Western Transcaucasus, and also includes Northwestern Africa.
Specific Native Locations
Confirmed native occurrences are recorded in Albania, Algeria, Austria, the Baltic states, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corsica, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, North Caucasus, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sicily, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, South Caucasus, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, and Yugoslavia.
Primary Habitat
This species, commonly called wood speedwell, is most often associated with long-established, damp deciduous woodland, and is generally found in lowland habitats.
Additional Habitat Types
It grows in areas with neutral to mildly acidic soils, and can also be found in shaded hedgerows, and occasionally spreads into gardens.
Soil Tolerance
It tolerates a wide range of soil substrates, including loam, heavy clay, and sandy soils.
