Veronica spikelet (spikelet): description, planting, care, application in folk medicine

Veronica spikelet, or, as it is called the ear, is widespread in the circle of gardeners. Having seen this plant from someone in a flower garden, immediately there is a desire to plant the same flower in yourself. But how to grow it, what places does he prefer on the flower beds and what is known about it?

Description of the plant

Veronica spikelet is perennial and depending on the variety it can grow from 15 to 60 cm. The stalk of the plant is strong, straight and unbranched. It is densely strewn with flowers. At the same time, the roots of Veronica are thin and grow horizontally. The size of the leaflets depends on their location on the stem, the length is from 1.5 to 8.5 cm, and the width is 0.3 to 3 cm. The edges are serrate-serrate.

Blossoms with a thick brush, which is narrowed to the top. Its length can be from 5 to 30 cm. Small flowers are kept on short, shaggy pedicels. The calyx consists of four oblong segments of different length. Most often there are blue or bright blue flowers. But the corolla is purple, pink or white.

After the flowering of the Veronica, the coliform forms rounded capsules with glandular hairs. In them, smooth, flat-convex seeds of ovoid form ripen. Their length is 0.75 mm and the width is 0.5 mm.

Flowering begins after the 10th of June and lasts about 35 days.

Names that occur in the people

As an ornamental plant, the Veronica is very common, so in people, in different places, it has received many names. Often it is called field lambs, field sage, snake grass, Andreeva grass, ganusok, bush, batots, synevet.

Decorative qualities

Veronica - a flower that was used in culture as far back as 1570. Today it is a good decoration in mixborders. But it is often planted as a solitary flower.

Veronica also looks good in stony gardens and near the slides. The flower will blossom luxuriantly if you select a sunny area. If you wish to combine with other plants, then it is in harmony with carnations, saxifrage, Dalmatian geranium, and purgatives.

Veronica spiny: Planting and caring for the plant

Plant this flower on your site with the help of cuttings or by dividing the bush. Also, the plant grows well from seeds. It is worth noting that the flower can give a self-seeding. In the open ground seeds are sown in the beginning of autumn, when the temperature of the earth is about 15 ⁰ C to a depth of 0.5 cm. Already in the second week there are sprouts. That the plant has risen and has got accustomed, it needs a light soil of average humidity. But many gardeners note that Veronica is not so demanding of the land in which it grows.

A plant grown from seeds can be transplanted to its permanent place, next year at the end of summer or early September. Well if it is a sunny part or penumbra. Between each seedlings it is recommended to observe a distance of 30 - 50 cm. Veronica blossom blooms for the second year after sowing. The overgrown bush can be divided.

The plant does not need winter shelter, as it safely tolerates frosts in the middle belt of Russia. Also, the speedwell is drought-resistant, although if rainy days are given out, it tolerates it too. In spring, the flower is watered only if it's dry outside. Well if you spend a little mulching around the bushes. Veronica spiny, varieties above 60 cm in need of tying to the support.

The plant can die from severe overmoistening in winter.

Use in folk medicine

Veronica is not only a beautiful decorative flower. It has medicinal properties and is used by people during colds, tuberculosis, bronchitis, liver, kidney, stomach and bladder diseases. Also this plant facilitates rheumatism, the climacteric period, if there are internal bleeding, neuroses, insomnia or with severe fatigue. Some people use this sort of veronica for rashes and eczema.

This herb helps during the listed ailments, because it has anti-inflammatory, wound-healing and hemostatic effect. To some extent the glume Veronica has an antibacterial property.

Collection and procurement of raw materials

For the purpose of recovery, only the aerial part of the plant is used. Start preparation of raw materials can be in July, the collection continues until September. The plant needs to be cut with sharpened scissors or a sickle. Before drying, the prepared material is moved. It is necessary to separate the yellowed parts and spoiled stems. Fresh grass spread on a spacious area with a thin layer, so that the drying was uniform for both the lower and upper stems.

To prevent decay, the plants do not appear fungus, it is recommended to turn the raw material every day. Well-dried grass is not tamped down on fabric or paper bags. The medicinal plant retains its properties for 24 months, after which it loses its value.

Application of Veronica

On the basis of this plant, you can prepare useful decoctions and infusions. Here are a few recipes:

1. This infusion take ½ cup three times a day. For cooking, you need two spoons of crushed dry raw material. Add two glasses of steep var (400 ml) and wait two hours. The medicine is ready.
2. To make a decoction in the enamelware pour a glass of boiling water and put the grass (20 gr). This medicine comes on a water bath for 15 minutes. Filter the already cooled drink. But this tool can be used not only internally. If there are rashes, itching and other skin problems, the baths or rinses are done.

Medicinal herbs are really able to help, but before you start self-help herbal medicine it is better to consult a family doctor.