Definition

1. Noun:
   • A common hairy European perennial plant with pale blue or lilac flowers in axillary racemes: "Veronica officinalis" is the scientific name for a specific species of flowering plant commonly known as speedwell. It is characterized by its hairy stems and leaves, its perennial life cycle, and its clusters of small, pale blue to lilac flowers that grow from the leaf axils.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The meadow was dotted with the pale blue flowers of Veronica officinalis.
  • Herbalists have historically used Veronica officinalis in traditional remedies.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical classification: The name is used in a precise, scientific context to distinguish this species from others in the genus.
  • The specimen was keyed out and confirmed to be Veronica officinalis.

Variants and Related Words

• Common Speedwell (n): The most frequent common name for this plant.
  • Common speedwell is often found in grassy fields.
• Gypsyweed (n): Another historical common name for .
• Veronica (n): The genus name to which this species belongs, also used informally for many plants in this group.
  • Several veronicas bloom in my garden in spring.

Synonyms

• Common Speedwell: The standard English name for the plant.
• Heath Speedwell: A name sometimes used, though it can refer to similar species.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "Veronica officinalis" is exclusively a scientific botanical name. Its meaning is fixed and refers to this specific plant species. The "officinalis" epithet often denotes plants that were historically kept in an apothecary's store for medicinal use.

Noun

1. common hairy European perennial with pale blue or lilac flowers in axillary racemes