Common Gypsyweed

(Veronica officinalis)

Common Gypsyweed (Veronica officinalis)

Andreas Rockstein

CC BY-SA 2.0

Image By: Andreas Rockstein

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Andreas Rockstein | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ | Uploader: anro0002 | Publisher: Flickr

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Veronica officinalis, commonly known as Common Gypsyweed, is a deciduous perennial herb native to a variety of habitats including open woodlands, grasslands, and meadows across Europe and Western Asia. It forms low-growing mats with hairy green stems ranging from 10–50 cm (3.9–19.7 in) in length, and sends up short vertical shoots that produce soft violet flowers. The leaves are oval, measuring 1.5–5 cm (0.59–1.97 in) long and 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) wide, with a softly hairy texture. The plant is known for its blue and purple flowers that bloom from May to August, offering a long flowering season.

Common Gypsyweed is valued for its ability to cover ground quickly, making it useful for erosion control and as a ground cover in garden settings. It is also appreciated for its medicinal properties, historically used in herbal medicine for various ailments. In cultivation, it adapts to a range of light conditions from full sun to part shade and is not particular about soil type, though it prefers well-drained soils. While it has low to medium water requirements, it can tolerate drought once established. Gardeners should be cautious, as Veronica officinalis can become invasive outside its native range, particularly in the United States, and should check local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 0.5-1 feet
Width: 0.5-1 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Blue, Purple
Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Low, Medium
Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant

Natural Habitat

Open woodlands, grasslands, and meadows across Europe and Western Asia

Other Names

Common Names: Common Speedwell, Paul’s Betony, Heath Speedwell, Herbal Speedwell, Upland Speedwell, Gypsyweed, Speedwell, Wald-Ehrenpreis, Véronique Officinale, Herbe Aux Ladres

Scientific Names: , Veronica officinalis, Veronica mas, Veronica spadana, Veronica officinalis var. officinalis, Veronica officinalis var. tournefortii, Veronica tournefortii, Veronica allionii, Veronica officinalis var. multicaulis, Veronica setigera

GBIF Accepted Name: Veronica officinalis L.