Common Verbena
Verbena officinalis
Family: Verbenaceae
What it is like
An evergreen shrub. It grows 30 cm to 1 m high. The roots are branched and are white or yellow. The stem has hairs. The leaves are about 2.5-8 cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide. The flowers are small and blue. The fruit are divided into 4 segments. It is bitter with a sweet smell.
There are about 250 Verbena species. It is used in medicine.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows by roads and in open spaces. It will grow in most well-drained soils. It needs an open, sunny position. It is resistant to frost but sensitive to drought. It suits hardiness zones 4-8. Tasmania Herbarium. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Brazil, Britain, Cape Verde, Central America (country/location of origin), Central Asia, China, East Africa, Eurasia, Europe, France, Greece, Hungary, India, Indochina, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Kurdistan, Laos, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Morocco, Myanmar, Niue, North Africa, North America, Portugal, SE Asia, Sicily, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sudan, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The young leaves are parboiled, seasoned and eaten. The leaves are used as a tea substitute. The flowers are fermented into wine and used as a garnish. It is used to flavour salt.
Edible parts
Flowers, leaves, leaves - tea, spice
How it is grown
It can be grown by seed or from cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Bluebird vine, Holy Wort, Karaita, Kuma-tsuzura, Pamukh, Saung-daw-ku, Vasfu, Vervain