Etymology: Verbena: ancient Latin name of the common European vervain
Plants: erect, biennial/perennial, 16"-40" tall forb, roughly hairy, branched toward the top; stems square
Leaves: opposite, lance-like, to 7" long, coarsely toothed, often with 3 lower lobes
Flowers: deep blue, 5-parted, 1/8"-1/4" wide, tube hairy; inflorescence a 8" loosely-branched, terminal cluster of densely-flowered spikes; blooms July-Oct.
Fruits: 4 linear, separating nutlets
Habitat: full sun; moist; prairies, meadows, fields, streambanks; in sandy, loamy soil
Conservation Status: Native