Verbena stricta (Hoary Vervain)

Plant Info

Also known as:	Hoary Verbena
Genus:	Verbena
Family:	Verbenaceae (Verbena)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	sun; dry; fields, prairies, along roads
Bloom season:	summer
Plant height:	1 to 3 feet
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Battle Creek Regional Park Long Lake Regional Park Rice Creek Trail Corridor Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park

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Detailed Information

Flower:

Densely packed spike clusters of ½-inch purple to blue-violet flowers, sometimes rose pink or white. Each flower has 5 petals fused at the base. The flowers bloom from the bottom of the spike up.

Leaves and stem:

Coarsely toothed leaves 2 to 3 inches long covered with dense hairs, generally oval and pointed on both ends; opposite attachment at the stem with no leaf stem. The main stem is square and may be a reddish color. Leaf color may be yellowish green.

Notes:

Hoary Vervain tends to grow in clumps. It might be confused with Blue Vervain, but Blue Vervain has smaller flowers, its leaves are long and narrow rather than oval, and it prefers moist habitats. The square stem and opposite leaves may also confuse Hoary Vervain with a member of the Mint family.

More photos

• a clump of plants, about 2 feet tall
• another clump of plants, about 4 feet tall
• Hoary Vervain with white flowers

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN, and Wild River State Park, Center City, MN June-July 2006, July 2007, July 2008

Comments

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