Verbena officinalis L.
Common verbena
Vervain is a slender, wiry perennial herb, the only member of the largely tropical verbena family to grow wild in Britain. It is widely considered an ancient introduction (archaeophyte), long naturalised here and most frequent in the milder south, becoming scarce further north.
About
Vervain is a slender, wiry perennial herb, the only member of the largely tropical verbena family to grow wild in Britain. It is widely considered an ancient introduction (archaeophyte), long naturalised here and most frequent in the milder south, becoming scarce further north. From a basal rosette it produces stiff, branching, square stems carrying deeply cut, rough leaves, and very slender, almost bare flowering spikes along which open small, two-lipped, pale lilac-mauve flowers, a few at a time.
It grows on dry, freely draining and often calcareous ground, in rough grassland, on verges and tracksides, around field edges and on waste and disturbed ground. Flowering from around July to September, the modest blooms are a useful late-season nectar source for bees and other insects. Long valued as a medicinal and ceremonial herb since antiquity, it suits dry, sunny borders, gravel gardens and informal wildlife plantings where its airy, see-through structure can be appreciated.
Also known as
European Verbena · European vervain · Herb of the cross · Vervain · common vervain
Synonyms
Verbena officinalis latiloba · Verbena officinalis officinalis · Vitex adulterina
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.