Natural England

Natural England

Gardening with Wildlife in Mind

The Plant Press

© 2006-2008. Database provided and managed on behalf of Natural England by The Plant Press. Designed and implemented by Ideal Integration Ltd

 

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Brooklime - Veronica beccabunga

Brooklime - Veronica beccabungaBrooklime - Veronica beccabunga
© Dr Chris Gibson/English Nature
UK distribution - East Anglia, Midlands, North, South East, South West

Brooklime is a water speedwell with a dense mass of thick, rounded, dark green leaves. These leaves are retained for most of the year. Dark blue, star-shaped flowers with white eyes are produced abundantly in the leaf axils on the upper part of the stems from late spring and throughout the summer.

This plant grows in or near water in the wild. It is an attractive aquatic marginal plant and easy to control. Brooklime will provide useful marginal cover for tadpoles and also sticklebacks. There is a beautiful blue leaf beetle that eats nothing else.

Animals

Beetles, Small fish, Tadpoles

FoliageGreen
FlowerBlue, May to September
MoistureWet (Wet)
SunlightFull sun to Part-shadeFull sun to Part-shade (Full sun to Part-shade)
OriginNative