Verbena stricta

Vent.

Hoary verbena

Verbenaceae Edible: Leaves - tea 16,173 iNaturalist observations

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iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Verbena stricta, also known as hoary verbena, hoary vervain, tall vervain, or woolly verbena, is a North American wildflower. It was first described by Étienne Pierre Ventenat in his work, Description des plantes nouvelles.

Description

A herb. It grows 20-120 cm tall. It has pale coloured hairs. The leaves are oval and 3-10 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. There are teeth along the edge.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The leaves can be used to make a tea-like beverage.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are used to make a hot, tea like drink.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The plant is considered specific for fever and ague. An infusion of the leaves has been used to treat stomach aches.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

North America, USA,

Cultivation

Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained but moisture retentive soil in a sunny position. Plants are hardy to about -20°c. Plants are often short-lived and sometimes only annual. Hybridizes with V. hastata.

Propagation

Seed — sow in early spring in a greenhouse or cold frame. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out in summer. Divide in spring; larger divisions can go directly into permanent positions, while smaller divisions are best potted up and grown on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame before planting out in summer or the following spring. Basal cuttings taken in early summer — harvest shoots with plenty of underground stem when about 8–10cm above ground, pot individually, and keep in light shade until well rooted before planting out in summer.