Veronica beccabunga aka Brooklime

Taxonomy

Veronica beccabunga, also known as European speedwell or brooklime, is a succulent herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Plantaginaceae family. It is commonly found growing on the margins of brooks and ditches in Europe, North Africa, and north and western Asia, but can also be found on other continents as an introduced species. This plant has smooth spreading succulent branches that are often reddish, blunt oblong finely serrate leaves in opposite pairs close to the stem, and small bright blue or pink flowers with four petals. The species name beccabunga comes from Danish bekkebunge (literally "brook bunch") or a similar source. Interestingly, brooklime was once used as a traditional antiscorbutic herb, purportedly helping to cure scurvy. However, it is not rich in vitamin C and the usual preparation by extracting juice would have destroyed most of its content, rendering it ineffectual against true scurvy. Despite this, Veronica beccabunga is still used as a decorative plant, adding a vertical accent to borders. As a houseplant, brooklime is super rare and needs regular watering to thrive. It does best in long-lasting, direct light and well-draining soil. If repotted each time it doubles in size, fertilizers are usually unnecessary.

Common names

Brooklime, European Brooklime, European Speedwell

How to care for Brooklime

Difficulty

Caring for Brooklime is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Brooklime should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Brooklime loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Brooklime requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your European Brooklime is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Brooklime should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Brooklime’s native range is Europe, incl Britain, from Norway south and east to N. Africa, temperate Asia to Japan and Himalayas.


More info:
Wikipedia