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Flaigg, Norman G.
Verbena stricta Vent.
Hoary verbena, Hoary vervain, Tall vervain, Woolly verbena, Wooly verbena
Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)
USDA Symbol: vest
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
The 1-4 ft., hairy stem produces a terminal cluster of narrow, flowering spikes. Small lavender flowers appear in a ring halfway down the acsending spike. A common invader of overgrazed pastures, this plant does not compete well in vigorous stands of native grasses. Seeds are consumed by small mammals and prairie-chickens.
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, and Chase Tree or Vitex are grown as ornamentals.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: PurpleBloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , AZ , CO , CT , DE , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , PA , SD , TN , TX , UT , VT , WA , WI , WV , WYCanada: ON
Native Distribution: Ont. to MN & MT, s. to TX & NM; also n. ID & n.e. WA; naturalized elsewhere
Native Habitat: Fields; prairies
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Sandy soils
Conditions Comments: A common invader of overgrazed pastures, it does not compete well in vigorous stands of native grasses.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Hoary vervain seeds are utilized by small mammals and prairie chickens.Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Common Buckeye
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Verbena stricta is a larval host and/or nectar source for:|
Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)  Larval Host |
Propagation
Description: Plant stratified or unstratified seed.Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 2 months.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
From the National Suppliers Directory
According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
Prairie Nursery - Westfield, WI
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Verbena stricta in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Verbena stricta in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Verbena stricta
Metadata
Record Modified: 2012-12-09Research By: TWC Staff
