Minnesota Wildflowers


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Verbena bracteata (Big-bract Verbena)

Plant Info
Also known as: Prostrate Vervain, Bracted Vervain
Genus:Verbena
Family:Verbenaceae (Verbena)
Life cycle:annual, short-lived perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:sun; dry; roadsides, fields
Bloom season:May - October
Plant height:1 to 20 inch creeper
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:

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Detailed Information

Flower: 5-petals tubular spike

[photo of flower] 1/8-inch flowers with 5 light blue to purple petals fused at the base forming a tube, and a white center. The flowers surround the top of a thick spike, up to 6 inches long, with many hairy bracts.

Leaves and stem: opposite lobed simple

[photo of leaves] Leaves are up to 3 inches long, 1 inch wide, and hairy. Leaves near the base of the plant are deeply lobed in 3 parts. The lobes may be toothed; the large center one usually is. Leaves on the upper part of the stem are smaller and not lobed. The stem is square, covered with long hairs, and lies along the ground, though part of the spike may be erect.

Notes:

Big-bract Verbena is often found at the edges of roads and sidewalks, fanning out in a mat.

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Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN July 2006 and June 2007

Comments

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