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Verbena bracteata
Verbena bracteata Cav. ex Lag. & Rodr.
Bigbract Verbena, Carpet Vervain, Prostrate Vervain
Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)
Synonym(s): Verbena bracteosa, Verbena imbricata
USDA Symbol: vebr
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
A low, prostrate plant, much-branched from the base, with hairy stems and pinnately lobed leaves. Square stems grow from 12-16 in. long. Dense, pubescent spikes of pale-blue to purple flowers occur at branch ends.
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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: AnnualHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Schizocarp
Size Notes: Stems prostrate, up to about 16 inches long.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Blue , PurpleBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , CT , FL , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WYCanada: AB , BC , ON , SK
Native Distribution: FL to TX, CA & Mex., n. to s.e. VA, WI & B.C.; adventive to New England
Native Habitat: Waste places; roadsides; fields
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Description: Various drier soils.
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FAC | UPL | FACU | FACU | FACU | FAC |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 293 - Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas (1979) Correll, D. S. & M. C. JohnstonSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Verbena bracteata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Verbena bracteata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Verbena bracteata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-03-01Research By: TWC Staff