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Cressler, Alan

Verbena simplex

Verbena simplex Lehm.

Narrowleaf Vervain, Narrow-leaved Vervain

Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)

Synonym(s): Verbena angustifolia

USDA Symbol: VESI

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Verbena simplex has narrow leaves and lavender flowers a third of an inch (8 mm) long. It is a southwestern and midwestern species that makes a good rock garden plant.

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.

From the Image Gallery

4 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 28 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: Lavender to purple.

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: ON
Native Habitat: Prairie/Meadow/Field

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Drought Tolerance: High

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Common Buckeye

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Common Buckeye
(Junonia coenia)

Larval Host

Learn more at BAMONA

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 1294 - 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

Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Verbena simplex in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Verbena simplex in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Verbena simplex

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-02
Research By: TWC Staff

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