Etymology: Verbena: ancient Latin name of the common European vervain
Plants: creeping annual/biennial/perennial, 1"-20" tall forb; stems square
Leaves: opposite, deeply pinnately-cut or 3-lobed
Flowers: blue to purple, 5-parted, up to 1/8" wide, tubular; inflorescence up to 1/2" thick, terminal, hairy spike with many bracts; blooms May-Oct.
Fruits: 4 linear, separating nutlets
Habitat: dry; disturbed sites
Conservation Status: Native