BLUE VERVAIN— CATNIP 37 



found in cultivated fields as it is one which generally grows only in 

 waste places. It thrives best on light, sandy soil. The plant branches 

 profusely and is covered with short, white hairs which give it a 

 grayish appearance. It begins flowering in June and the seeds begin 

 to ripen during the. latter part of July. The inconspicuous small 

 blue flowers are borne in leafy, one-sided clusters. The pear-shaped 

 seeds are covered with sharp, hooklike spines, which aid greatly in 

 distribution. Sticktight seeds are sometimes found in clover seed and 

 quite often in alfalfa seed. 



Eradication. — Avoid sowing the seed. Cultivate thoroughly. 

 Early summer fallowing is recommended if the land is badly infested. 



Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata L.) 



Other common names. — Wild hyssop, American vervain, purvain, 

 blue American vervain, iron weed, and false vervain. 



Description. — Blue vervain is a persistent, deep-rooted perennial 

 weed common in this State. It is particularly fond of moist soil 

 and grows commonly in waste places, in pastures, along roadsides, 

 and sometimes even in cultivated fields. The stem of this plant is 

 erect, nearly square, usually branched, and from three to seven feet 

 high. Although not very injurious, this weed becomes very un- 

 sightly in pastures and along roadsides, especially when the leaves 

 are covered with mildew. This plant flowers practically all summer 

 and the light blue flowers are borne in slender heads, the flowers 

 appearing first at the base of these heads and gradually working up. 

 The plant is propagated entirely by brown, club-shaped seeds which 

 are very often found in commercial seeds, such as timothy, red clover, 

 lawn-grass mixtures, and other grasses. There are four different 

 species of vervain growing in this State, but the blue vervain is the 

 most common. 



Eradication. — Remove blue vervain by spudding out or cutting 

 with a sharp hoe or spade. It is not troublesome on well-cultivated 

 land. 



Catnip (Nepeta cataria L.) 



Other common names. — Catnep and common catmint. 



Description. — Catnip is a perennial weed introduced from Europe 

 and now quite common throughout the State, especially near dwell- 

 ings, and in barnyards and gardens, but it is not considered trouble- 

 some in cultivated fields. The plant belongs to the mint family and 



