germander speedwell

Whilst out on your walk, encountering clumps of bright blue flowers along your path could be the ever popular forget-me-nots, but could also be the much less celebrated Germander Speedwell. I find it a charming little flower and from memory every time I have spotting a clump, there has always been an accompanying mist of flies or a solitary bee. The flower is normally fertilised by flies but as it reacts to rain and closes, it can also achieve self fertilisation. Traditionally considered a good luck charm for travellers, and wearing one of the flowers in your buttonhole is meant to “speed you well” on your journey!

By River Six Photo by Pixabay