Flowers in Israel | Syrian speedwell

Veronica syriaca, Syrian speedwell,
Hebrew: ורוניקה סורית, Arabic: زهرة الحواشي السورية

Scientific name:   Veronica syriaca Roem. & Schult.
Common name:   Syrian speedwell
Hebrew name:   ורוניקה סורית ,ברוניקה סורית
Arabic name:   زهرة الحواشي السورية
Plant Family:   Scrophulariaceae, לועניתיים


Life form:   Therophyte, annual
Leaves:   Alternate, opposite, entire, dentate or serrate
Flowers:   White, dark blue,hermaphrodite
Flowering Period:   January, February, March, April
Habitat:   Batha, Phrygana
Distribution:   Mediterranean Woodlands and Shrublands, Semi-steppe shrublands, Montane vegetation of Mt. Hermon
Chorotype:   Mediterranean
Summer shedding:   Ephemeral


Derivation of the botanical name:

Veronica, named for the woman who took her veil, or a linen cloth, and wiped the sweat from the face of Jesus as he was bearing his cross to Calvary, and so named because the markings on some species supposedly resemble those on her sacred handkerchief.

syriaca, Syrian.
The Hebrew name: ורוניקה, Veronica , transliteration from the scientific name.

  • The standard author abbreviation Roem. is used to indicate Johann Jakob Roemer (1763 – 1819), a Swiss physician, professor of botany and entomologist.
  • The standard author abbreviation Schult. is used to indicate Josef August Schultes (1773 – 1831), an Austrian botanist and professor.