Swamp Verbena

Other names

Blue Vervain

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Perennation

Short-lived perennial

Native distribution

Native to the Finger Lakes Region, North America

Biocultural value

Iroquois made a strong root tea to ease stomach cramps and to expel intestinal worms.

Location

Mundy Wildflower Garden, Robison Herb Garden, McLean Bogs, Ringwood Ponds, South Hill Swamp

Source of plant

North Creek Nurseries, Krissy Boys, Richters

Description

Perennial; stems 4-15dm, branched above, rough-hairy, with short, spreading or antrose hairs; leaves lanceolate to lance-oblong or lance-ovate, 4-18cm, gradually acuminate, petiolate, coarsely serrate or incised, often hastately 3-lobed at base, glabrous or strigillose on both sides; spikes strict, usually many in a terminal panicle, short and compact; bracts lance-subulate, commonly a little shorter than the calyx, calyx 2.5-3mm, hairy, the limb 2.5-4.5mm wide; nutlets linear, 1.5-2mm, faintly striate or smooth; 2n=14.

USDA Hardiness Zone

2

Special characteristics

medicinal/pharmaceutical

Status

L4|S5|G5