Blue Vervain Verbena hastata

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Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata L.) Identification: Flowers violet-blue to slightly pinkish, small, with a fused corolla and 5 free petal lobes. Flowers arranged in a series of elongate, highly branched flower spikes. Only a few flowers open at any one time. Stem and leaves slightly hairy. Leaves in opposite pairs, elongate-ovate with distinct petiole and coarsely toothed outer margins. Plant 3 to 5 feet in height. Distribution: Throughout eastern North America. Habitat: Blue Vervain is found along roadsides, the banks of rivers and lakes, and in thickets. Flowering period: July to September. Similar Species: The leaves of Hoary Vervain or more ovate than those of Blue Vervain and are covered with fine, white hair. The leaves are more purple than blue. Narrow-leaved Vervain has elongate leaves and their bases taper toward the base without a distinct petiole. Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

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