Common Name: White Vervain

General Information

Verbena urticifolia is a herbaceous perennial plant (sometimes annual) growing 40 - 150cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

N. America - Saskatchewan to Quebec, south to Arizona, Texas and Florida

Habitat

Woodlands, pastures, along streams, roadsides and waste areas[]. Disturbed soils, roadsides, successional fields, thickets, forested openings, and edges of forests in wet to mesic soils.

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Verbena urticifolia is hardy to about -15°c[].
Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained but moisture retentive soil in a sunny position[, ].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A decoction of the root is given to babies to break out the hives[]. The sweetened root decoction is drunk as an aid for flu[]. An infusion of the root has been used in the treatment of profuse menstruation[].
The root has been eaten to revive a patient and restore them to health[].

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.