Family: Verbenaceae
blue vervain, simpler's-joy, swamp verbena
Matthew L. Wagner
Matthew L. Wagner
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
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
Marshes, sedge meadows, lakeshores, shrub-carrs, along streams and rivers, wet to mesic prairies and prairie swales, grazed wet pastures and fields, roadside ditches, low areas along railroad tracks; rarely in wet forests.
This is our most common species, ranging across the entire state. It has no doubt increased in abundance with the creation of open wet habitats; Fassett posited that a specimen he collected in 1929 in Ashland Co. (9534, WIS) was “apparently adventive”.
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 3, Wetland Indicator = FACW+ Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USGS - Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin 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. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions 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"
Matthew L. Wagner
Christopher Noll
Christopher Noll
Aaron Carlson
Marion Sheehan
Aaron Carlson
Merel R. Black
Matthew L. Wagner
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Paul Drobot
Aaron_Carlson
Paul Drobot
Matthew L. Wagner
Aaron_Carlson
Paul Drobot
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Aaron_Carlson
Caroline A. Creevey
Aaron_Carlson
Merel R. Black
Aaron_Carlson
Christopher Noll
Aaron Carlson
Christopher Noll