American Blue Vervain, Swamp verbena
Verbena hastata
Family: Verbenaceae
What it is like
Verbena hastata is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1.5
Where it is found
Swales, damp thickets and shores.
N. America - Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to Florida, and from California to British Columbia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Seed - cooked. The seed can be roasted and ground into a powder or used whole as a piñole. Pleasantly bitter, some of this bitterness can be removed by leeching the flour. The leaves are used as a tea substitute.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The leaves and roots are antiperiodic, diaphoretic, emetic, expectorant, tonic, vermifuge and vulnerary. The roots are more active than the leaves. The plant is used in the treatment of stomach aches, gravel, worms and scrofula. An infusion of the roots, leaves or seeds has been used in the early stages of fevers. A snuff made from the dried flowers has been used to treat nose bleeds.
Antiperiodic: Counteracts recurring illnesses such as malaria.
Diaphoretic: Induces perspiration.
Emetic: Induces vomiting.
Expectorant: Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Vermifuge: Expels and kills internal parasites.
Vulnerary: Promotes the healing of wounds.
Other
Rating: 0
How it is grown
Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained but moisture retentive soil in a sunny position. Plants are hardy to about -20°c.
Propagating it: Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse or cold frame and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring. Basal cuttings in early summer. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 3-7
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist