Scientific name: Verbena officinalis L.

Common names: Common Verbena

Family: Verbenaceae

Origin: 

Native of Southern Europe.

Habit:

An erect perennial herb growing up to 80 cm in height and sometimes with a woody base.

Habitat:

Widespread weed of untended areas, minor weed of cultivation and pastures.

General description:

Stems and leaves

Stems are square in cross-section (quadrangular). Leaves at the base of the plant tend to be deeply divided almost forming leaflets.  Upper leaves are smaller and with more entire margins.  The leaf size range is 2-7 cm x 0.5-3 cm. The bases of the leaves taper in to short leaf stalks (petioles).  Leaves are oppositely arranged.

Flowers and fruit

The tubular flowers are pale pink to lilac, 3-3.5 mm long, borne in spikes that are dense at first and then elongate up to 30 cm long forming open branched inflorescences at the tips of the stems. Flowering occurs mostly in summer and autumn.  Fruits separate into 4 individual nutlets.

Distinguishing characteristics:

Perennial herb with erect quadrangular stems growing to 80 cm tall.  Pink to lilac flowers in elongated spikes at the tips of the stems.  This species is similar to Verbena bonariensis  (purple top). Verbena bonariensis differs in its leaf attachment as the leaves are attached without leaf stalks.

Noxious status:

Not noxious.

Sources:

Kleinschmidt, H.E., Holland, A. and Simpson, P. (1996). Suburban Weeds. 3rd Edition. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Stanley, T.E. and Ross, E.M. (1983-1989). Flora of South-eastern Queensland. Volume 2. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Auld, B.A. and Medd, R.W. (1996). Weeds: An Illustrated Botanical Guide to Weeds of Australia. Inkata Press, Sydney.