# Blue Vervain (*Verbena hastata*) Blue Vervain has tall stems with tiny purple flowers that attract butterflies. It loves to grow near water! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Wet meadows and stream banks - **Also known as:** American Vervain, Swamp Verbena ![Blue Vervain](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426145/objects/4963.jpg) ## Appearance The Blue Vervain is a tall, slender plant with sturdy square stems and lance-shaped, toothed leaves. It has numerous spikes of tiny, violet-blue to purple flowers that bloom from the bottom up, creating a distinctive bottle-brush appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Lamiales - **Family:** Verbenaceae - **Genus:** Verbena ## Interesting facts - Ancient cultures believed Blue Vervain had magical powers of protection! - Indigenous peoples traditionally used Blue Vervain for various herbal remedies. - Its unique square stem is an easy way to identify this plant. - The tiny seeds are a favorite snack for many hungry songbirds! ## Special abilities - **Thirsty Roots:** Blue Vervain can tolerate wet conditions, helping it thrive in damp soils where many other plants struggle to grow. - **Pollinator Beacon:** Blue Vervain has nectar-rich flowers that attract a wide variety of bees and butterflies, ensuring its reproduction. - **Sequential Bloom:** Blue Vervain's flower spikes bloom progressively from bottom to top, extending its flowering period to attract pollinators longer. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 100-180 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.3-0.6 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer to Early Fall - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Drinks nectar from its small flowers - **Pollinates:** [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) — Feeds on its nectar and pollen - **Eaten by:** [American Goldfinch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-goldfinch) (*Carduelis tristis*) — Feeds on its small, abundant seeds - **Pollinates:** [Eastern Tiger Swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-tiger-swallowtail) (*Papilio glaucus*) — Nectars on its vibrant blue blooms ## Traits - [Cluster Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cluster-flower): Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. ## Collections - [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Blue Vervain? Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Blue Vervain? 100-180 cm ### How wide does Blue Vervain spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on Blue Vervain? 0.3-0.6 cm ### When does Blue Vervain bloom? Summer to Early Fall ### Is Blue Vervain edible? Yes ### Is Blue Vervain toxic? None ### What is Blue Vervain's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Brett Woods Open Space](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brett-woods-open-space) — Connecticut, US · Park - [Clinton Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/clinton-hill-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [MacDougal-Sullivan Gardens Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/macdougal-sullivan-gardens-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Palisades State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/palisades-state-park) — South Dakota, US · State Park - [Canaan Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/canaan-street-historic-district) — New Hampshire, US · Historic District - [Illinois Caverns State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/illinois-caverns-state-natural-area) — Illinois, US · State Park [View all places to see Blue Vervain](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/blue-vervain) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Blue Vervain: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-vervain)