Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
| Maximum Height | 1 m to 1.8 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.3 m to 0.9 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Brazil and Argentica |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a herbaceous perennial, clump-forming plant, growing to about 1.2 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The leaves are sparsely located along the stem, dark green, lanceolate shaped, measuring up to 10 cm long, have serrated margin. |
| Stems | The stems are growing upright, slender and 4-angled. |
| Flowers | Borne on clusters of tiny pink-purplish flowers (spike or panicle inflorescence), each flower is salver-shaped. |
| Cultivation | Can be grown as annuals. |
| Etymology | The genus Verbena comes from the Latin name, which means leafy twigs used by priests, and used in medicine (used by Virgil and Pliny for vervain). |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly-Attracting |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant, Well-Drained Soils, Poor Infertile Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting (Tip), Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink, Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Individual Flower Shape | Salverform |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike, Panicle |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31176 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5570 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
