Verbena bonariensis
Verbenaceae
opposite
sessile
serrate
simple
oblong, lanceolate, subcordate
forb, shrub
blue, purple
April - October
0.8 - 1.0
No
Unarmed
introduced
annual, biennial, perennial
Warm season
FAC
-1
Similar to Verbena brasiliensis but has larger diameter stems, more densely arranged spikes and central stem leaves that have ear-like lobes at their base which clasp the stem.
Seed germination is improved by cold/moist or cold/dry stratification (Steffen 1997).
The following information is for the genus Verbena: Animals that eat its seeds: Stilt sandpiper, Lark bunting, Cardinal, Junco, Field sparrow, Song sparrow, Swamp sparrow, Tree sparrow, White-crowned sparrow. Animals that the plant: Cottontail rabbit (Martin et al. 1951).
Native of South America.
Sandy loam, moist flat lands, and along rice field fence, old fields, waste places throughout Louisiana and East Texas.