Βερονίκη η υδρόβια αναγκάλλις
Etymology of Veronica anagallis-aquatica: The genus's name "Veronica" derives from Saint Veronica, the woman who gave Jesus a cloth to wipe his face while carrying the cross on the way to Calvary, and so named because the markings on some species supposedly resemble those on her sacred handkerchief. It bears the epithets "anagallis" for its resemblance to the genus Anagallis, and "aquatica", Latin, meaning "belonging to the water" because it grows near water or where there is a plentifulness of water.
Nine Veronica taxa are growing on their own in the Cypriot habitat.
Research shows that Veronica anagallis-aquatica exists in all the districts of Cyprus, but still, it is an uncommon, rare plant for someone to encounter in his life, at least in Cyprus. It grows up to an amazing altitude of about 1500 metres and its flowering period varies from February until December, but it definitely doesn't last that long. Veronica anagallis-aquatica grows near springs (as the one in the photo), at stream banks, wet meadows and in general in quite moist areas, as it is an aquatic plant.
