The last of the wild endemic species was found in Pohlheim-Hausen, south-east of Gießen. In spring 2015, an expert commissioned by the Botanical Garden had discovered a single plant and managed to collect ten seeds. The conditions of the location had turned unfavourably; supporting measures were too late and in vain. By now, the population of Veronica acinifolia is extinct.
The few seeds that were collected, were reproduced in the Botanical Garden. In spring of 2017, a few dozen grown plants were ready to be transplanted. Their re-settlement in a new spot of a local conservation area was successful.
Height: 5-20 cm.
Stem pubescent -glandular, erect and ascending.
Lower leaves opposite, later alternate. Lower leaves small, 4-10 mm, ovate, elliptic, obscurely crenate or entire, short-stalked.
Flowers bright-blue, small, with a whitish lower petal, in lax raceme ; peduncle as long as the leaf.
Fruit twice broader than long, with a deep middle sinus, ciliate, glandular.
Rare in crops.
Biological type: annual.
How to get rid of:
Use the gel (Roundup Gel) or ready-to-use spray (e.g Roundup Fast Action Ready-to-Use, SBM Job done General Purpose Weedkiller, Doff Glyphosate Weedkiller Ready-to-Use) on patches of speedwell. Leave the weed for three to four weeks for the weedkiller to take effect, before removing dead foliage.
