Veronica montana Wood Speedwell

A perennial speedwell which is found in woodlands and hedgebanks, especially where there is some base richness. It is one of a suite of woodland species that are reasonable indicators of ancient woodland. It is sometimes confused with Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys) but the flowers are a little smaller, on longer stalks and less showy.  Also stems are hairy all around; i.e. the hairs on the stem are not arranged in two rows. It is generally less common than Germander Speedwell but it is widespread and found throughout most of Britain and Ireland. In West Glamorgan it is common in Gower woodlands and in the base-rich river corridor woodlands in valley basins of Neath Port Talbot. It is absent from (or rare in) the acidic Sessile-oak woodlands of the valley slopes in the South Wales Coalfiled.

Native