Scientific Family
Verbenaceae
Other common names
New Mexico vervain
hillside verbena
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Verbena hastata
Height
To 31 inches
Riparian
No
Harshly hairy plant, 4-sided stems, and thick, dense, long, erect spikes each with a ring of small, blue to purple bilaterally symmetrical flowers at 1 level. This species resembles members of the mint family, but lacks the aromatic odor.
Erect stiff branched, similar to V. hastata, 1 to 3 flowering spikes per stem are broader, hairs on stems spreading; leaves long, toothed; flower spikes dense, ring of small blue to purple flowers at 1 level; styles have sterile, fertile lobes.
Habitat
Valleys and open flats at moderate or high elevations, grows on roadsides at middle elevation, often in pine forests.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
5000
High elevation
8500
Flower Characteristics
Flower tube about as long as the sepals; a ring of small, blue to purple bilaterally symmetrical flowers. The long, thick, dense flower spikes have a ring of small flowers at 1 level, the level moves up the flowering stem.
Flower color
Blue to purple
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
August
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are long and toothed, prominently veined on lower surface, wrinkled on upper surface.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Nutlets less than 1/16 inch long.
Fruit type
Nutlet