Nettle-leaved vervain, Snakeweed
Stachytarpheta cayennensis

Family: Verbenaceae

What it is like

An erect woody herb or shrub. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1-2 m high. The leaves are opposite and have shallow teeth. They are 5-11 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. The flowers are in a group at the top of the plant. The flowers are blue. They are 2 mm across. The fruit are 3-4 mm long by 2 mm wide. They contain 2 nutlets.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows on clay and loam soils and along the edges of creeks. In Africa it grows between 10-1,200 m above sea level. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, xAmerican Samoa, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Benin, Brazil, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America (country/location of origin), Christmas Island, Colombia, Cuba (country/location of origin), Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Fiji, Gabon, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, Indochina, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, Lesser Antilles (country/location of origin), Marquesas, Mexico, Micronesia, Mozambique, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North America, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Samoa, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South America (country/location of origin), Suriname, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Virgin Islands, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin), Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The stem tips are used as a spice and also as a tea.

Edible parts

Leaves - flavouring, vegetable, flower buds, stems

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Alacran, Baren tokantsa, Binawe, Erva-do-sumidouro, Gervao, Gervao-roxo, Hierba de playa, Katip ujuk, Playa kiwa, Rabo de raton, Rincao, Runa llama, Seka rawa

Synonyms

Stachytarpheta australis Moldenke; Stachytarpheta urticifolia (Salisbury) Sims; Valerianoides cayennensis (Rich.) Kuntze; Verbena cayennensis Rich.;