Speedwell

This flowering plant is in the plantain family.  It is most noticeable on sunny days when its' little purple flowers open.  This “weed” flowers all year round and can be identified by its' blue path-lines.  Growing low to the ground it can also cover over other plants.

Its' name, speedwell, is more than likely due to its' remarkable medicinal powers that are out of proportion to its' tiny size.  Being so small it is also nice that the whole plant is edible.  The flowers are sweet, leaves mildly bitter and the seed pods or fruit is distinguished by its' two widely separated lobes looking like the top of a heart shape, although less than a centimeter in size.

Medicinal & Nutritional Qualities include;

• blood purifier
• anti-inflammatory
• expectorant
• diaphoretic

Along with the ability to remove excess mucous, relieve coughs, soothe internal issues, relax tension, treat skin rashes, and calm inflammation, the plant contains chlorophyll, minerals, vitamins, protein, antioxidants and is another easy “weed” to find.  Usually consumed as a tonic/tea, one can add it to your smoothie, chop it up finely to add to salads or make a pesto.  Of course the flowers are always a lovely addition to any dish.  

...And our girls like to sprinkle them in their hair.  

So there you have it, yet another very common “weed” that is more like a “super food” than most of your labeled supermarket super-foods and it more than likely is outside in your yard growing for free.

So stop putting those chemicals on your lawn, please.