How to identify Hoary verbena (Verbena stricta)

How to identify Hoary verbena (Verbena stricta)

Hoary verbena, also known as Woolly vervain, Tall Vervain

Hoary verbena exhibits a robust stature with clustered, tall spikes of purple to violet flowers, each spike reaching 2 to 5 feet (60 to 150 cm) high. The leaves are narrow, elongated, and rough-textured, imparting a silvery appearance due to a fine layer of hairs. This perennial bears lance-shaped foliage up to 6 inches (15 cm) long, attached to the square, stiff stems. It flourishes in full sun exposure, showcasing its vivid blooms throughout the summer months.

Lifespan: Perennial, Annual

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Hoary verbena

Tall spikes of purple to violet flowers, reaching 2-5 feet (60-150 cm) high.

Narrow, elongated leaves with a silvery appearance due to fine hairs.

Pink or blue-purple flowers on upright spikes up to 8 inches (20 cm) long.

Fruit consists of four small, hard and smooth nutlets per flower, about 1/8 inch in size.

Stem with green to reddish color, covered in long white hairs, reaching 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) tall.

Detailed Traits of Hoary verbena

Leaf Features

Hoary verbena has leaves that are oval to obovate in shape, measuring roughly 4 inches (10 cm) in length and 3 inches (7.5 cm) in width. The edges are coarsely toothed. These leaves are typically stalkless and covered in whitish hairs, giving them a gray-green hue. They exhibit pinnate venation along with a reticulated network of smaller veins, contributing to their detailed texture.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

Hoary verbena produces pink or blue-purple flowers that bloom from the bottom to the top of hairy, narrow, upright spikes, which can reach up to 8 inches (20 cm) long. Each individual flower spans about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) across and features five petals. Typically, only a few flowers open simultaneously. The blooming period lasts for approximately 6 weeks, occurring from mid to late summer.

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Stem Features

The stem of hoary verbena is characterized by its green to reddish hue and adorned with long white hairs. The stem typically grows erect, boasting a slightly thick and sturdy structure. It measures around 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm) in height, with occasional branching. The hairs not only give the stem a distinct texture but also add to its identification by creating a fuzzy appearance that contrasts with the otherwise smooth surface.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of hoary verbena consists of four small, brown nutlets emerging from each flower. These nutlets, approximately 1/8 inch (a few millimeters) in size, bear a hard and smooth texture. Once mature, they exhibit a dry and bony consistency, indicative of the fruit's classification as a schizocarp. The nutlets are notably distinct in their hardened state, providing a key identification feature recognizable upon close inspection. They are not fleshy or juicy, which is typical for this type of fruiting body.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Hoary verbena and Their Similar Plants

Purpletop vervain vs. Hoary verbena: What's The Difference?

Purpletop vervain (Verbena bonariensis) is a flowering plant native to South America. In autumn, purpletop vervain loses its leaves. The lavender flowers on this species have a sweet scent.

Blue vervain vs. Hoary verbena: What's The Difference?

This wildflower grows in prairies across the US and Canada. It attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, and provides a home for Common Buckeye caterpillars. Blue vervain has been used in traditional medicines in a variety of cultures but has been found by modern science to have negative effects on the human body under some conditions.

Slender vervain vs. Hoary verbena: What's The Difference?

This wildflower grows erect in a shrub that flowers in summer and fall in South America and the southeastern United States. In non-native regions, slender vervain is occasionally considered invasive, and roots easily in disturbed soils. The bright flowers attract pollinators like butterflies and hoverflies.

Brazilian vervain vs. Hoary verbena: What's The Difference?

Brazilian vervain (Verbena brasiliensis) is a perennial herb that grows in clumps. This plant can grow to be 91 to 183 cm tall and 30 to 91 cm wide. It has small purple flowers bloom from summer to the first frost of the year. Brazilian vervain blossoms are fragrant. This species grows best in full sunlight. It is drought and heat tolerant.

Purpletop vervain 'Lollipop' vs. Hoary verbena: What's The Difference?

The purpletop vervain 'Lollipop' genus includes 250 different plant types! The leaves often have a layer of hair on them, and the fruit splits into four different parts--each with one seed. The name refers to "sacred foliage" and is regularly used as a girl's name in Spanish-speaking countries. It has held this "sacred" distinction since ancient Roman times.

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Key Facts About Hoary verbena

Attributes of Hoary verbena

Lifespan

Perennial, Annual

Plant Type

Herb

Plant Height

61 cm to 1.2 m

Spread

45 cm to 60 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Gray

Silver

Flower Size

2.5 cm

Leaf type

Deciduous

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Scientific Classification of Hoary verbena

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Mints plantains olives and allies

Family

Verbena

Genus

Vervains

Species

Hoary verbena (Verbena stricta)

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Distribution Map of Hoary verbena

Hoary verbena is originally indigenous to North America's temperate regions. It has also been introduced to other parts of the world, including Asia. Additionally, hoary verbena has adapted beyond its native range, cultivated in various areas for its ornamental value.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Hoary verbena

A Comprehensive Guide to Hoary verbena How to Grow and Care for Hoary verbena