Veronica americana - American Brooklime

Family:	Scrophulariaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.1
Width:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	N. America - Newfoundland to Alaska, south to California and N. Carolina.

Veronica americana (American Brooklime) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.1m and a width of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 2.
American Brooklime will flower in January to February. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

American Brooklime will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
American Brooklime prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

American Brooklime can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Shallow water, rills and swamps[43].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Is a pond plant
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in a moderately fertile wet soil or in shallow water[1, 200]. Prefers cool summers[200]. Plants do not demand high light levels[200]. Closely related to V. beccabunga[1].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Leaves - raw or cooked[62, 85, 105, 172]. A hot flavour, it can be used as a watercress substitute[62].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
Expectorant[172].

• Expectorant - Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.

Propagation

Seed - sow autumn in a cold frame[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in autumn or spring[200]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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