Βερόνικα η στίλβουσα
Etymology of Veronica polita
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. The epithet "polita", which is Latin and means ''polished", refers to the bright blue color of its petals.
There are nine Veronica species/taxa growing on their own in the Cypriot habitat.
What is Veronica polita?
Veronica polita, commonly known as greyfield speedwell or small-leaved speedwell, is a species of flowering plant in the Plantaginaceae family, Lamiales order. Native to parts of Europe and Asia, it is a herbaceous perennial that thrives in a range of environments, from dry meadows to disturbed sites like roadsides and fields. The plant typically grows to a height of 10 to 30 centimeters and is characterized by its small, ovate leaves that are covered in fine, greyish hairs, which give it a distinctive greyish-green appearance. These hairs also contribute to the plant’s common name, "greyfield."
One of the plant's most notable features is its delicate, blue to violet flowers. The flowers are small but numerous, arranged in dense spikes, and possess a typical Veronica shape, with four petals that form a symmetrical structure.
Where does Veronica polita grow?
Veronica polita is relatively hardy, preferring well-drained soils and full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It is commonly found in disturbed areas, where it often acts as a pioneer species, helping to stabilize the soil in barren or overgrazed landscapes. Though it is not considered invasive, it can spread rapidly in favorable conditions, sometimes outcompeting other plants.
In Cyprus, Veronica polita is encountered almost all around the island except for the northeastern part, up to an altitude of 1700 metres. The specimens in the pictures come from Pano Arodes (Pafos district) and Pano Platres (Lemesos district). The species in Cyprus has a long flowering period, between December and June.
How to identify Veronica polita:
Veronica polita is similar to Veronica persica. Their differences are the following:
Veronica persica's lobes of the capsule are strongly divergent; its pedicels are up to 3 cm long. Veronica polita's lobes of the capsule are not markedly divergent; its pedicels are about 1-1.2 cm long.
