Verbena stricta

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Verbena stricta

Family: (Verbenaceae)

(P) to 4′.  Hoary Vervain. North America.  This clump-forming, showy native has opposite leaves to 3 inches in length that are pointed at the tip, coarsely toothed, covered with dense hairs, and stalkless. Stems are square and covered in long white hairs with a flush of reddish colour at the base.  The upper stems terminate in hairy floral spikes to eight inches long and are densely crowded with ½-inch purple to blue-violet flowers. The flowers have 5 petals fused at the base forming a short tube. The petal lobes are slightly unequal in size, the 2 lateral lobes largest and the lower lobe notched at the tip. Hidden inside the tube are 4 stamens and a short style. The spike elongates as the plant matures with flowers blooming from the bottom up and fruit forming below.  Prefers sandy soil.  Sun.  3 & T1