Common Name: Hoary Vervain

General Information

Verbena stricta is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a narrow clump of stems and growing 60 - 120cm tall. Plants often self-sow freely, often forming large colonies[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Central and southern N. America - Ontario to Quebec, south to Arizona, Texas and Georgia

Habitat

Roadsides and other dry open places[]. Prairies, glades, thickets, fields, waste ground and along railroads and roadsides[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Verbena stricta is hardy to about -20°c[].
Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained but moisture retentive soil in a sunny position[, ]. Thrives in dryish, sandy soils[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
Plants will often naturalize by self-seeding to form colonies[].
Plants will usually begin flowering in their second season of growth from seed[]. They are often short-lived and sometimes only annual[].
Hybridizes with Verbena hastata[].

Edible Uses

A tea-like beverage has been made from the leaves[].

Medicinal

The plant is thought to be specific for fever and ague[].

An infusion of the leaves has been used in the treatment of stomach aches[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse or cold frame[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
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.