Germander Speedwell
Veronica Chamaedrys
Of the five speedwells recorded to date at Abbey Fields, the Germander Speedwell is the most prevalent.
In a good year at Long Meadow, with its racemes of pale blue flowers, it sets off the yellows of the buttercups that form a carpet of colour, especially at the end of April and into early May.
At Croft Close it is far less evident due to frequent nibbling from the rabbits, but nevertheless is also widespread there.
Even in the absence of rabbits it is a low growing plant – reaching a height of about 20cm – and is usually found in clumps.
The white centre to its flowers is thought to give rise to it vernacular names of “Bird’s Eye” and “Cat’s Eye”; the flowers are considered an excellent source of nectar for solitary bees.
They are also host to a gall midge, Jaapiella veronicae (and under "Associations" here). Eggs are laid in the terminal bud, causing it to deform into a hairy, white ball, containing a couple of orange-red larvae.
The other speedwells recorded at Abbey Fields are:
Common Field-speedwell
Ivy-leaved Speedwell
Thyme-leaved Speedwell
Wall Speedwell
