52 



VERBENACEiE. 



Verbena. 



near the base, so as to appear somewhat hastate. Spikes numerous, 2-5 inches long, 

 tapering at the summit, forming a large terminal panicle, which is often corymbose. Flowers 

 at first densely imbricated, but the lower ones finally somewhat distant. Bracts ovate, 

 acuminate, shorter than the 5-toothed calyx. Corolla about 2 lines long, deep purplish blue. 

 Stamens 4. Fruit at length splitting into 4 oblong 3-sided carpels, usually regarded as seeds. 

 Wet meadows and margin of creeks. July - September. 



2. Verbena urticifolia, Linn. Common Vervain. 



Erect ; leaves oval or lanceolate-ovate, acute, coarsely serrate, petiolate ; spikes filiform, 

 axillary and terminal ; flowers distinct. — Linn. sp. 1. p. 10 ; Walt. fl. Car. p. 162; Engl, 

 hot. t. 767 ; Michx. fl. 2. p. 15 ; Pursh, fl. 2. p. 416 ; Ell. sk. 2. p. 99 ; Bigel. fl. Bost. 

 p. 239 ; Beck, hot. p. 284 ; Darlingt. fl. Cest. p. 372. 



Perennial. Stem 2-3 feet high, rather rough and pubescent, with slender spreading 

 branches. Leaves 3-4 inches long and an inch and a half broad, thin, acutely serrate, 

 abruptly narrowed into a petiole at the base. Spikes numerous, forming loose panicles, in 

 fruit nearly a foot in length. Flowers much scattered. Bracts subulate, shorter than the 

 calyx. Teeth of the calyx nearly equal, very acute. Corolla 2 lines long, white or sometimes 

 slightly tinged with rose-color. Stamens 4. Fruit 4-carpelled. 



Road-sides, old fields, etc. ; very common. Probably introduced from Europe. July — 

 September. This plant was held sacred among the ancients, and used in making leagues by 

 ambassadors, sacrificial rites, incantations, etc. {Loudon). 



Between this species and the preceding there are several intermediate hybrid forms, which, 

 as well as other hybrid Verbenas, have been carefully and accurately described by Dr. 

 Engelman in Silliman's Journal, vol. 46. 



3. Verbena spuria, Linn. Procumbent Vervain. 



Stem prostrate, divaricately branched ; leaves incisely pinnatifid ; spikes filiform, loose. — 

 Linn. sp. 1. p. 10 ; Michx. fl. 2. p. 14 ; Pursh, fl. 2. p. 416 ; Ell. sk. 2. p. 97 ; Torr. 

 compend. p. 238 ; Beck, hot. p. 284. 



Annual or biennial. Stem (when old) much branched, smoothish except on the angles, 

 which are roughened with remote minute appressed prickles. Leaves sessile, hairy (particular- 

 ly underneath), divided nearly to the midrib into numerous oblong rather obtuse segments 

 which are laciniately toothed. Spikes numerous, forming loose panicles. Flowers at first 

 close and imbricated, but at length remote and scattered. Bracts acute, one-third longer than 

 the flower. Corolla rose-colored or purplish blue, with a manifest tube ; the border unequally 

 5-lobed. Stamens 4 ; two of them apparently sterile. Fruit 4-carpelled. 



Sandy fields in the suburbs of New- York, and near Albany. August - November, 



