Germander speedwell, small blue flowers, peering out on a summers day, reminded some folk of eyes- hence the alternative names of Bird's-eye speedwell, or blue birds eye, their fruits are heart-shaped, so the name break-your-mothers-heart was applied, Most explanations for the name speedwell refer to the medicinal value, they were supposed to be good for healing wounds and clearing up respiratory complaints, Herbalist of former times thought that the green field speedwell, veronica agrestis, was the male form of a different species,

This 'humble English flower' was chosen by Sir Percy Blakeney- the foppish hero of, The scarlet Pimpernal, Baroness Orczy's novel of the French Revolution - as is undercover name when rescuing aristocrats from the guillotine, A rhyme in the book refers to him as 'that damned elusive Pimpernal'; but the flower itself is widespread throughout Britain and Europe, they open for a short time each day from around 8 a.m to 3 p.m and are always shut during dull or wet weather, and also valued for its medicinal qualities