Photographs: Bantry, Co. Cork

Wood Speedwell Veronica montana Lus cre coille Family: Scrophulariaceae Flowering time: April-July. Perennial. Native. Axillary pale blue-mauve flowers with white centres and deep blue veins. Seed capsules are flattened and longer than the calyx. The stalked pale green leaves are hairy and coarse-toothed. Sprawling or ascending stems, the main stem hairy all round. Height 10-30 cm Grows in woods and hedgebanks on base-rich soils. . Similar: Germander Speedwell, Veronica chamaedrys has darker blue flowers and the leaves are usually stalk-less

Wood Speedwell, Veronica montana, Lus cre coille