This plant is the woodland cousin of the well-known Bird's-Eye Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys). The hairs on this Speedwell are found all round the stem but on Veronica chamaedrys they from two lines on opposite sides of the stem. The flower is a paler shade of blue in Veronica montana and as its name suggests you do tend to find it in woodland.

Veronica montana is fairly common in England except perhaps for the green deserts of East Anglia. It is also common in Wales, Ireland and southern Scotland but it is uncommon in the far north.

Woods near Appleton Thorn, Warrington, 21st April 2007

Added on December 19th 2005, updated 23rd April 2006, updated 21st February 2012, updated 16th Nov 2014