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Purple and Blue Wildflower Gallery

Vervain family

        

Verbenaceae - Vervain family
Prairie Verbena (Mock Vervain) Glandularia bipinnatifida (Verbena bipinnatifida)
This plant's Genus name has changed from the one mentioned in most guide books.
Each flower is about 3/8" wide, in bouquet clusters about 2" wide. Flower color is purple/pink but can be white. When this flower is abundant, large sphinx moths swarm like bees.
Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, April-May 2004
(Native of Texas - Taylor, etc.)

Similar Species

Rose Mock Vervain (Rose Verbena) Glandularia canadensis (Verbena canadensis)
This plant's Genus name has changed from the one mentioned in most guide books.
Very similar to G. bipinnatifida except the leaves are fuller. Flower color is purple/pink but can be white or reddish.
(Native of Texas - Brown)

Brazilian Verbena Verbena bonariensis
Flower bouquet on a long stem. There are hybrids between this plant and the native Verbena.
(Introduced - Tom Green)

  

Verbenaceae - Vervain family
Pink Mock Vervain (Low Verbena) Glandularia pumila (Verbena pumila)
This plant's Genus name has changed from the one mentioned in most guide books.
Each flower is about 3/16" wide, in bouquet clusters about 1" wide. Plant grows to about 6" tall. This is very similar to Prairie Verbena (above) but is half the size and the leaf is more compact.
Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, April 2005
(Native of Texas - Taylor, etc.)

Similar Species

Big Bract Verbena Verbena bracteata
A few tiny flowers at the top of a thick spike of bracts.
(Native of Texas - Taylor, Coleman)

           

Verbenaceae - Vervain family
Fanleaf Vervain Verbena plicata
Flower about 1/4" wide. Leaf is very wide and frilly, leaf stem is winged. Flowers on a short terminal spike. Plant 1 1/2 - 2 feet tall.
Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, April 2004
(Native of Texas - Taylor, etc.)

Similar Species

Clover's Vervain Verbena cloverae
Tall flower spike is covered in large buds with lavender flowers clustered along it.
(Native of Texas - Coke)

Sandpaper Vervain Verbena scabra
Few lower leaves are wide, few cuts, pointed. Upper leaves are very small. Many very slender flowering spikes with tiny lavender flowers. Stems and leaves hairy.
(Native of Texas - Tom Green)

  

Verbenaceae - Vervain family
Texas Vervain (Slender Verbena) Verbena halei
Lavender flowers are small. Leaves very narrow, even the lower cut leaves, grass- like. Plant 1 foot tall.
Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, May 2004
(Native of Texas - Taylor, etc.)

Similar Species

Gray Vervain Verbena canescens
Lavender flowers widely spaced up stem. Stem and leaves are very hairy. Opposite leaves are narrow, lower ones cut, upper ones linear.
(Native of Texas - Taylor, etc.)

                                

Verbenaceae - Vervain family
Lilac Chastetree Vitex agnus-castus
Flower spikes about 6" long, fragrant. This bush grew about 6 feet tall. Leaves have 7 leaflets of descending lengths. Stems are square. Drought tolerant.
Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, May-June 2008
(Introduce - Intrusive)