Family: Verbenaceae
creeping vervain, large-bracted vervain, prostrate vervain
Kitty Kohout
Emmet J. Judziewicz
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
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
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
A plant of disturbed, anthropogenic habitats such as along trails, sidewalks, road shoulders, and railroad tracks; in sandy lawns, pavement cracks, fields, dumps, gravel lots and pits, old quarries, and farmyards. A few collections have been made from more natural settings such as oak-Jack pine woods, pine barrens, sandstone and quartzite rock outcrops, sand barrens, and lakeshores and streambanks.
This species is presumed to be native but has clearly spread since European settlement. Even specimens collected as far back as the mid- to late 1800’s noted it along roadsides and railroads.
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 0, Wetland Indicator = FACU USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Merel R. Black
Dennis W. Woodland
Botanical Illustration
Kitty Kohout
Emmet J. Judziewicz
