Germander speedwell, with its intense blue petals and white centre is our commonest and arguably the prettiest of our speedwells. Many of its common names such as bird’s eye, and angels’ eye likely came about to describe the blue “eyes” which peer out from the wayside vegetation where it likes to grow. This preferred habitat may account for it being considered a good luck charm for travellers who it would “speedwell” on their way - in Ireland they were sometimes sewn into the jackets of travellers for good luck. I was amused to read that in Germany, the plant is called "Männertreu", or "men's faithfulness", due to the fact that its blossoms wilt very quickly upon picking.
The name “speedwell” also links to its medicinal reputation for the speedy healing of wounds, and a panacea for many “ills”. In the 18th Century, the plant gained a reputation for curing gout. So many leaves were picked and dried for markets in London that the plant was destroyed for many miles around. The craze soon passed – apparently it didn’t work – and Germander Speedwell thankfully returned.
On sunny days in June look out for the tiny Little Long-horn moth, Cauchas fibulella flying around the flowers. Its larvae will feed on the seeds and leaves. It is also one of the food plants for the rare Heath Fritillary butterfly.
These photos were taken a couple of weeks ago growing by the recently coppiced hazels at the Recreation Ground and in the churchyard. Some rain on Wednesday will hopefully bring light back to those “eyes”. The last photo shows an unusual pale form growing on the footpath to Thickwood from the field behind the school - so pretty.