Verbena brasiliensis Vell.

Brazilian Vervain

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Annual

Vascular

Brazilian Vervain is an introduced annual or short-lived perennial in the Verbena family (Verbenaceae). It is native to South America. In Alabama it can be found state wide. Brazilian Vervain grows on roadsides, along railroads, in fields and pastures, and in ruderal habitats. Brazilian Vervain develops from a taproot. Each root crown produces 1-several upright stems. Stems are 3-6 feet in height and branched near the top. The stems are square in cross section, green in color, and scabrous on the angles. Leaves are opposite, sessile or with a very short winged petiole, elliptic in outline, pubescent, with serrate margins. Flowers are produced in terminal spikes. Spikes occur in groups of 3—a central spike with 2 lateral spikes. The centeral spike is sessile and the inflorescence branches are pubescent. The corolla is salverform with 5 small lobes and is blue-purple in color. The calyx and corolla tube are pubescent. The fruit is a schizocarp. Brazilian Vervain is listed as an invasive species in Georgia and Texas. Brazilian Vervain is similar to Uruguayan Vervain (Verbena montevidensis Spreng.). It differs from that species in being taller and having the central spikes sessile to subsessile. Brazilian Vervain is occasionally sold by nurseries as a nectar plant for butterflies. It attracts a wide range of species.—A. Diamond

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Not Native FAC- (NWPL)

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