Brazilian Vervain (Verbena brasiliensis)

Verbena brasiliensis is one of two Verbena species - Verbena rigida (Tuberous Vervain) and Verbena brasiliensis (Brazilian vervain) - that grow in this area. Verbena brasiliensis is known by the common name Brazilian Vervain. Typically the plants are about 4 to 5 feet tall and grow in the grass beside roads or in fields. Typically, the plants are branched The flowers are slightly smaller and paler than those of Verbena rigida. The (lower part of the) stem of V. brasiliensis is clearly four-sided. Verbena brasiliensis grows widely in this area. I’ve seen it in Walton, Jasper, Oglethorpe, and Wilkes Counties.

Plants beside the highway in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. The plants have the light-colored tops; the other tall plants are Queen Anne’s Lace just starting to develop blooms.

The florets. (Compare with Verbena rigida)

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The flower spikes in profile.

Multiple flower spikes.

The leaves

The stem, clearly showing the 4-sided shape of the lower stem.

Verbena brasiliensis (Brazilian Vervain) is native to South America. In the United States, it grows from Virginia to Texas and south to Florida as well as in California and Oregon.
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Distribution Map:
- United States Department of Agriculture Plants Database: Verbena brasiliensis (Brazilian Vervain)
- University of North Carolina Herbarium: Verbena brasiliensis

Identification resources:
- Southeastern Flora: Brazilian Vervain (Verbena brasiliensis)
- Natural and Naturalized Plants of the Carolinas and Georgia: Verbena brasiliensis (Brazilian Vervain)
- Alabama Plants: Verbena brasiliensis

Related posts:
- 2010: Year Of The Wildflower – Wildflower Index
- Tuberous Vervain (Verbena rigida)