How to identify Blue vervain (Verbena hastata)
Blue vervain, also known as Swamp verbena, American blue vervain, Ironweed, Simpler's joy
Blue vervain typically features tall, erect stems that can reach heights of 2 to 5 feet (60 to 150 cm). The stems are often square-shaped and bear lance-shaped leaves with serrated edges. Throughout the blooming season, small, tubular, violet-blue flowers cluster in elongated spikes at the top of each stem. The inflorescences give off a delicate appearance, contrasting with the plant's robust structure. Spirally arranged on the spike, each flower has five petals that are fused at the base, creating a flared mouth.
Square stems, 0.1-0.2 inches (2.5-5 mm) diameter, with white appressed hairs for texture.
Lance-shaped leaves, opposite pairs, up to 6 inches (15 cm) long, 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide.
Tubular, violet-blue flowers in panicles, 0.6 cm wide, with fused petals creating flared mouth.
Nutlets with persistent calyx, reddish-brown, triangular-convex, small in size.
6-inch (15 cm) panicles, blue-violet corolla divided into 5 lobes, candelabra-like appearance.
The leaves of blue vervain are up to 6 inches (15 cm) long and 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide, displaying a lance-shaped form with toothed edges. They present a prominent vein pattern and occur in opposite pairs along the stem. The leaves are typically green, with a textured surface that can be slightly rough to the touch, enhancing their distinctive look.
Blue vervain features 6-inch (15 cm) panicles of purplish-blue flowers. Individual blooms, 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) each, display a blue-violet corolla divided into 5 spreading lobes. They have a short-tubular calyx with 5 narrow teeth, 4 inserted stamens, and a pistil. The candelabra-like panicles bear pencil-thin flower spikes that bloom from bottom to top, with few flowers open at once.
Blue vervain's stems are distinctly square in cross-section, displaying a unique angular profile. The color ranges from green to red, with a noticeable contrast provided by white appressed hairs that cover the surface. These hairs lay flat against the stem, contributing to its slightly rough texture. The stems are generally modest in thickness, reaching about 0.1 to 0.2 inches (2.5 to 5 mm) in diameter. Branching out occasionally, the stems display a subtle but consistent pattern of nodes and inter-nodes.
The fruit of blue vervain is characterized by a persistent calyx, which houses four oblong nutlets. These nutlets are typically reddish-brown in color, with a distinctive triangular-convex shape, giving them a unique three-dimensional profile. Their texture is firm, ensuring protection for the seeds within. Each nutlet is relatively small in size, authenticating the fruit's identification for enthusiasts and botanists alike.
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Scientific Classification of Blue vervain