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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Verbena officinalis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf from April to October, in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves
Edible Uses: Tea
Leaves - parboiled, seasoned and then eaten[183]. The leaves are used as a tea substitute[7, 183]. The flowers are used as a garnish[183].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Analgesic Antibacterial Anticoagulant Antipruritic Antirheumatic Antispasmodic Antitumor Astringent
Bach Birthing aid Depurative Diaphoretic Diuretic Dysentery Eczema
Emmenagogue Galactogogue Stimulant Tonic Vulnerary
Vervain, which has tonic and restorative properties, is sometimes used as a domestic herbal remedy. It is useful when taken internally in the treatment of headaches, fevers, nervous exhaustion, depression, gall bladder problems, insufficient lactation etc[4, 238]. It should not be given to pregnant women, though it can be used to assist contractions during labour[238]. Externally, it is used to treat minor injuries, eczema, sores, neuralgia and gum disease[238]. The leaves and flowering stems are analgesic, antibacterial, anticoagulant, antispasmodic, astringent, depurative, diaphoretic, mildly diuretic, emmenagogue, galactogogue, stimulant, tonic and vulnerary[4, 9, 21, 147, 165, 176, 218, 238]. The plant is harvested as flowering begins in the summer and dried for later use[7, 238]. Some remarkable results have been obtained when using this plant in the treatment of certain tumours, but further research needs to be carried out before definite claims can be made[7]. The root is astringent, it is used in the treatment of dysentery[218]. This species was ranked 12th in a Chinese survey of 250 potential antifertility plants[218]. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Strain', 'Stress', 'Tension' and 'Over-enthusiasm'[209].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained but moisture retentive soil in a sunny position[1, 200]. Plants are very tolerant of neglect and will maintain themselves for a number of years even when growing in dense weed competition[K]. Self-sows freely when growing in a suitable position[K]. The growing plant attracts butterflies and moths[30].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.
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Propagation
Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 3 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. If you have sufficient seed, it can also be sown in situ in late spring. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring. Basal cuttings in early summer. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
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| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Abronia fragrans | Snowball Sand Verbena | Perennial | 0.6 |
7-10
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 1 | |
| Abronia latifolia | Sand Verbena, Coastal sand verbena | Perennial | 0.1 |
7-10
| | L | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Abronia turbinata | Transmontane Sand Verbena | Perennial | 0.1 |
-
| | L | N | DM | 0 | 1 | |
| Abronia villosa | Desert Sand Verbena | Annual | 0.1 |
7-10
| | L | N | DM | 0 | 1 | |
| Aloysia citriodora | Lemon Verbena, Lemon beebrush | Shrub | 3.0 |
7-10
| M | LM | SN | DM | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Callicarpa americana | American Beautyberry, Beautyberry, French Mulberry, American Beautyberry | Shrub | 1.8 |
7-10
| S | M | SN | M | 2 | 2 | |
| Callicarpa japonica | Beautyberry, Japanese callicarpa, Japanese Beautyberry | Shrub | 2.0 |
5-8
| M | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Callicarpa macrophylla | | Shrub | 2.5 |
8-11
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Callicarpa mollis | | Shrub | 2.4 |
7-10
| | M | N | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Callicarpa pedunculata | | Shrub | 3.0 |
9-11
| | LMH | N | M | 0 | 2 | |
| Clerodendrum bungei | Glory Flower, Rose glorybower, Cashmere Bouquet, Mexican Hydrangea, Glory Bower | Shrub | 2.0 |
7-9
| M | LMH | N | M | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum | | Shrub | 3.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 1 | 1 | |
| Clerodendrum japonicum | Japanese glorybower | Shrub | 2.5 |
9-11
| | LMH | N | M | 1 | 1 | |
| Clerodendrum kwangtungense | | Shrub | 3.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Clerodendrum trichotomum | Chou Wu Tong, Harlequin glorybower, Ferruginous clerodendrum, Harlequin Glory Bower | Tree | 6.0 |
6-11
| M | LMH | N | M | 1 | 3 | |
| Glandularia canadensis | Rose Verbena | Perennial | 0.3 |
5-9
| M | LMH | SN | DM | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Lantana camara | Wild Sage, Lantana Verbena | Shrub | 1.8 |
8-12
| F | LMH | SN | DMWe | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Lippia graveolens | Mexican Oregano | Shrub | 2.0 |
9-12
| F | LMH | N | DM | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Phyla nodiflora | Frogfruit, Turkey tangle fogfruit | Perennial | 0.2 |
8-12
| | LMH | N | DM | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Salvia verbenaca | Wild Clary | Perennial | 0.6 |
5-9
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 2 | |
| Verbena hastata | American Blue Vervain, Swamp verbena | Perennial | 1.5 |
3-7
| | LMH | N | M | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Verbena stricta | Hoary Vervain, Hoary verbena | Perennial | 1.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | N | M | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Verbena urticifolia | White Vervain | Perennial | 0.3 |
4-8
| | LMH | N | M | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Vitex agnus-castus | Agnus Castus, Lilac chastetree, Vitex, Chastetree | Shrub | 3.0 |
7-9
| M | LM | N | DM | 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Vitex cannabifolia | | Shrub | 3.0 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Vitex negundo | Huang Ping, Chinese chastetree, Cut Leaf Vitex, Cut-leaf Chastetree | Shrub | 3.0 |
6-9
| M | LM | N | DM | 2 | 3 | 2 |
|
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
L.
Botanical References
17200
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