Glandularia bipinnatifida (Nutt.) Nutt.

Dakota Vervain; Dakota Mock Vervain

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Dakota Mock Vervain is a native herbaceous annual or short-lived perennial in the Verbena family (Verbenaceae). It occurs in the Black Belt region of Central Alabama. Dakota Mock Vervain grows in prairies, in cedar glades, in pastures, and on roadsides in areas with basic soils. It is an annual or short-lived perennial with a tap root. The stems are erect or decumbent with up-turned tips and may root at the nodes. Stems are green in color, branched from the base, 4-angled, and pubescent. Leaves are opposite, petiolate, bi- or tri-pinnately divided, and pubescent. Fascicles of reduced leaves often occur in the leaf axils. Fragrant flowers are produced in terminal spikes that continue to elongate as new flowers are produced and fruit mature. Individual flowers are subtended by bracts that are longer than the calyx. The calyx is tubular and pubescent with 4-5 long, un-equal lobes. The corolla is salverform with a long tube on 5 lobes. The lobes are shallowly notched and the lower lobe is larger than the others. The corolla is blue to rarely pink or white in color. The fruit is a schizocarp. Dakota Mock Vervain is often available from wildflower nurseries. It prefers a well-draining soil in full sun. It is drought tolerant once established. Dakota Mock Vervain can be used in prairies, in rock gardens, and along walks. Plants produce an abundance of nectar and attract many butterfly species.—A. Diamond

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Native

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