Scientific name: Verbena rigida Sprengel

Synonyms: Verbena venosa Gillies & Hook

Common names: Veined verbena

Family: Verbenaceae

Origin: 

Native of South America.

Habit:

Perennial herb with trailing stems which tend to grow upwards at the tips 0.2-0.4 m tall.  Develops underground stems (rhizomes).

Habitat:

Widespread weed of untended areas such as roadsides, wastelands and pastures.

General description:

Stems and leaves

Leaves are opposite, attached without stalks (ie. sessile). Leaves are coarse and rigid, narrowly oval or oblong, 4-12 x 1-4 cm with toothed margins.

Flowers and fruit

Flowers are bluish purple tubular, approximately 12 mm long  with five lobes. Flowers are clustered together in showy spikes which form at the tips of the stems.  Flowering occurs mostly in summer and autumn.  The fruits have four segments  which break apart into nutlets.

Distinguishing characteristics:

Perennial herb with sprawling stems.  Leaves are opposite, coarsely toothed and rough to touch.  Flowers are small and purple clustered into  spikes at the tips of stems.

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.