Photographs: Ballingeary, Co. Cork

Thyme-leaved Speedwell Veronica serpyllifolia Lus an treacha Family: Scrophulariaceae Flowering time: March-October. Perennial. Native. Flowers grow in terminal racemes and are pale-blue to whitish with dark blue lines and oblong calyx lobes. The short-stalked oval leaves are hairless or very slightly downy and more or less untoothed. Erect flower stalks growing from creeping, rooting stems. Height to 20cm. Abundant in most of Ireland in grassland, heaths and open woodland and on waste ground and roadsides.

Thyme-leaved Speedwell, Veronica serpyllifolia, Lus an treacha