Native Plant Database

Marcus, Joseph A.

Glandularia bipinnatifida (Nutt.) Nutt.

Purple prairie verbena, Prairie verbena, Dacota vervain, Dakota mock vervain, Moradilla

Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)

Synonyms: Verbena bipinnatifida

USDA Symbol: glbi2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Gently rounded clusters of bilaterally symmetrical pink, lavender, or purple flowers bloom atop stems with highly divided leaves. The Spanish name, Moradilla, comes from morado (“purple”) and means “little purple one.” This plant often forms brilliant displays of pink or light purple, covering acres of ground. It is a variable complex, with some plants tall and pink-flowered, others more matted and with lavender or purple flowers; the two forms are usually found in separate areas. The genus Glandularia is closely related to Verbena, differing conspicuously in its round-topped clusters of showy flowers; in some references, this species is listed as Verbena ambrosifolia.

This species is a member of the verbena family (family Verbenaceae), which includes about 75 genera and 3,000 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees, mostly of tropical and warm temperate regions. Among them, teak is a highly prized furniture wood, and Vervain, Lantana, Lippia or Frog Fruit are grown as ornamentals.

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