speedwell

American  

[speed-wel] / ˈspidˌwɛl /

noun

1. any of several plants, shrubs, or small trees of the genus Veronica, of the figwort family, having opposite leaves and small flowers.

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speedwell British  

/ ˈspiːdˌwɛl /

noun

1. any of various temperate scrophulariaceous plants of the genus Veronica, such as V. officinalis ( heath speedwell ) and V. chamaedrys ( germander speedwell ), having small blue or pinkish white flowers

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Etymology

Origin of speedwell

1570–80; speed + well ¹; so called because its petals fade and fall early

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

speedwell

Autumn Joy sedum and speedwell, a purple flower that reminded me of a gnome’s hat, were still going strong.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 31, 2022

Flowering examples of germander speedwell, daffodil and chicory cast shadows and consort with the odd caterpillar or beetle, surrounded by borders of more schematic leaf motifs that nonetheless have space for some quite real-looking birds.

From New York Times ● Jun. 5, 2014

The gorse is yellow on the heath; The banks of speedwell flowers are gay; The oaks are budding, and beneath, The hawthorn soon will bear the wreath, The silver wreath of May.

From Literature for Children by Lowe, Orton

Yet the green sward continued to be decked with orfrey-work of many hues—buttercups, violets, rose-campion, speedwell, daisies—defiant little bright heads not three inches from the roots.

From In the Days of the Guild by Lamprey, Louise

He has the quality of winsomeness, like the violet and the speedwell among the flowers.

From Under the Maples by Burroughs, John