A question about a "weed"

[Floyd Pinkerton]

I've been doing some work for my dad and stepmom since I'm out of official work. Yesterday, my stepmom said I could pull some weeds in her flowerbeds if I got tired of hunching over a computer all day. I came across this "weed" that I felt may be a helpful herb, but I'm not sure.
It was about 8 inches tall, with rounded leaves and grew small, purple flowers on top. I didn't notice a smell from it. It looks like this:
http://www.turfgrass.ncsu.edu/images/Pl ... lower3.jpg
Does anybody know what this is called, and if it has any magickal properties? I felt like I should have been pulling these and saving them.
There were also a lot of these:
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/ ... ds1815.jpg

I felt bad pulling them out. I left most of them be for now.

[Becks]

The first one is called Laminum purpureum, or "purple dead nettle". It is widespread. So I have it here on Vancouver Island. I put it in salads.

http://healingweeds.blogspot.ca/2013/04 ... ettle.html

It's an invasive species in North America. It out competes many local species. It was introduced from Europe. So eat away!! The square stem indicates it's a member of the mint family.

I don't know where you are from, but I don't recognize the other plant. I don't think it's in my area.

[smogie_michele]

For the life of me I cannot get a good search on that second one.
BUT if you are drawn to it, I would say dry and press it and use it in spell work

[Xiao Rong]

Ooh! I love identifying weeds!

I think Becks is right about the first being deadnettle (although there are some lookalikes like Creeping Charlie and ground ivy, but all are in the same family & edible).

The second one I think might be Persian Speedwell:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veronica_persica


This is the tool I used: http://www.mywildflowers.com/identify.asp

[Firebird]

That search link is so cool Xiao...thanks!
We used veronica in the flower shop a lot, it was one of my favorites, its funny that tiny little blue flower is related!
Good floral sleuthing guys
Bb, Firebird

[HopefulChild]

I came up with Veronia Persica as well.

A different perspective on speedwell here. http://nettlejuice.blogspot.com/2012/03/speedwell.html It has some raw and tea applications.

[Floyd Pinkerton]

After a quick look at magickal/medical properties of these plants, I'm glad to know I have a large quantity at my disposal. These could be really helpful. I'm gonna collect some when I next come across them.

[Xiao Rong]

@ Floyd -- agreed. I absolutely love getting to know my local flora more. It's astounding how much magic is available in our own backyards in the form of weeds! I think it is such a huge boost to use ingredients from our own homes and our own lands.