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hoary vervain

Verbena stricta

Hoary vervain is a pretty plant with small purple flowers that bloom in the summer. It loves sunny places and can grow in many types of soil, making it a cheerful sight in gardens and fields.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The hoary vervain has tall, rigid stems covered in soft, white hairs, giving it a 'hoary' or fuzzy appearance. Its dense spikes are packed with tiny, five-petaled, purplish-blue flowers, creating a striking vertical display in open fields.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyVerbenaceaeGenusVerbena
hoary vervain
flowering trait badgesummer_blooming trait badgefragrant_flower trait badgemedicinal trait badge
hoary vervain

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Ancient Romans considered similar vervain plants sacred, using them in rituals!

Even when dry, this plant's seeds stay on its spikes, providing winter food for birds!

Its bristly stems make it a tough snack, deterring most nibbling animals from munching!

The word 'hoary' describes its fuzzy, grayish-white appearance, like an old, wise plant!

Special abilities

Ability

Water Whisperer

Hoary vervain has a deep taproot that helps it find water far underground, allowing it to survive long dry periods!

Ability

Fuzzy Fortress

Its stems are covered in tiny, stiff hairs that make them less appealing to grazing animals, protecting the plant from being eaten.

Measurements & details

Height
60-150 cm
Spread
30-60 cm
Flower Size
0.3-0.5 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to fall
Edible
No
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

Gathers nectar from its small flowers.

pollinates

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Bombus impatiens

Visits its purple flower spikes for nectar.

eats

Vervain plume moth

Platyptilia pica

Its larvae feed on the plant's leaves and stems.

eats

American Goldfinch

Carduelis tristis

Feeds on the plant's tiny, nutrient-rich seeds.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

It's safe to touch, but always wash your hands after playing outside.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is hoary vervain?

60-150 cm

How wide does hoary vervain spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on hoary vervain?

0.3-0.5 cm

When does hoary vervain bloom?

Late spring to fall

Is hoary vervain edible?

No

Is hoary vervain toxic?

None

What is hoary vervain's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is hoary vervain pollinated?

Insect

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Where to spot

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