There are five to seven species of speedwell in Michigan alone that are easily confused. It is often difficult to tell one species from another. Some of the more common of these are Persian speedwell ( V. persica), creeping speedwell ( V. filiformis), corn speedwell ( V. arvensis), germander speedwell ( V. chamaedrys), and ivy-leaved speedwell ( V. hederifolia). Several species of speedwell are sometimes considered weeds in lawns. Several Veronica species and cultivars are cultivated for use as ground cover. herb has been used in the traditional Austrian medicine internally (as tea) for treatment of disorders of the nervous system, respiratory tract, cardiovascular system, and metabolism. Members of the mint family have square sided stems, and Veronica species have rounded stems. The plant can be confused with skullcap and other members of the mint family. Native Americans used Veronica species as an expectorant tea to alleviate bronchial congestion associated with asthma and allergies. Veronica americana is edible and nutritious, as are most species in the genus Veronica, and is reported to have a flavor similar to watercress. Veronica wormskjoldii, Wormskjold's speedwell.Veronica triphyllos, fingered speedwell.Veronica serpyllifolia, thyme-leaved speedwell.Veronica prostrata, sprawling speedwell.Veronica persica, common field-speedwell.Veronica perfoliata, Digger's speedwell.Veronica longifolia, long-leaved speedwell.Veronica hederifolia, ivy-leaved speedwell.Veronica gentianoides, gentian speedwell.Veronica derwentiana, Derwent speedwell.Veronica chamaedrys, germander speedwell.Veronica aphylla, leafless stemmed speedwell.Veronica anagallis-aquatica, water speedwell.Veronica agrestis, green field-speedwell.The name probably reflects a connection with Saint Veronica, whose Latin name is ultimately derived from Greek, Berenice. Such use in English is attested as early as 1572. The genus name Veronica used in binomial nomenclature was chosen by Carl Linnaeus based on preexisting common usage of the name veronica in many European languages for plants in this group. Most of the species are from the temperate Northern Hemisphere, though with some species from the Southern Hemisphere Hebe is mostly from New Zealand. The taxa of the genus are herbaceous annuals or perennials, and also subshrubs, shrubs or small trees if Hebe is included. Monophyly of the genus is supported by nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and cpDNA.

Taxonomy for this genus is currently being reanalysed, with the genus Hebe and the related Australasian genera Derwentia, Detzneria, Chionohebe, Heliohebe, Leonohebe and Parahebe now included by many botanists. Common names include speedwell, bird's eye, and gypsyweed. It was formerly classified in the family Scrophulariaceae.

Sound and vision are in the level of excellence we have come to expect nowadays.Veronica is the largest genus in the flowering plant family Plantaginaceae, with about 500 species. The production is engaging on all fronts stage, scenery, choreography, singing, dancing, acting and costumes in particular all contribute magnificently to this opulent venture which I recommend wholeheartedly, particularly to baroque aficionados. Indeed, their renditions are constantly sensitive to the harmonic content of the music, and the many 'embellishment' passages are handled with versatility and imagination.Īn expert in this kind of repertoire, Ivor Bolton marshalls his forces with aplomb, and although his conducting is sympathetic to the singers, he keeps things moving along a brisk pace. Luca Pisaroni is commandingly vigorous, especially in his man-made plastic muscles, and his performance is wholly assured, but it is the female singers Anna Maria Panzarella and Anna Bonitatibus that steal all the thunder. Juno, the goddess of marriage intervenes, and husband and wife are finally reunited, although at the end it is a case of too little too late. Ercole is constantly striving to banish his wife Deianira and kill his son Hyllo so that he can marry his sister-in-law Jole. Notwithstanding all this 'travail', the opera was considered the greatest extravaganza of its day, although the story is hardly fitting for a wedding feast. But the performance had to be delayed as the theatre was not completed in time, and when it was eventually presented, the piece was heavily undermined by the talkative French audience and the Lully clique. Also available on Blu-ray Opus Arte OABD7050D:įrancesco Cavalli (1602-1676) wrote this opera for the wedding of Louis XIV to Maria Theresa of Spain in 1660.

Veronica panzarella