Brazilian verbina

Brazilian verbina

Verbena brasiliensis

Common Name:

Brazilian verbina

Scientific Name:

Verbena brasiliensis


Alternative common names:

Brazilian vervain (English), Gin case (English)

Description:

Brazilian verbina is an annual or short-lived perennial herb with erect, hispid, quadrangular stems of 1-2.5 metres in height. It has the ability to displace indigenous vegetation through most of its non-native range and is considered invasive. It can be found both in wetland/riparian areas as well as in drier, upland habitat.

Additional Information


Where does this species come from?

South America

What is its invasive status in South Africa?

NEMBA - Category 1b

Where in South Africa is it a problem?

Gauteng and Eastern Cape

How does it spread?

The seeds are dispersed by animals, wind and water.

Why is it a problem?

It is an invasive plant that may threaten indigenous plants species by displacing them

What does it look like?

Leaves: Leaves are narrow- ovate, 40-50 mm long, c. 10 mm wide, base acute, slightly winged not clasping the stem, margins coarsely toothed, sessile, lower leaves not deeply divided

Flowers: Flowers bluish- purple, inflorescence consists of long slender with flower crowded at the tips, corolla tube 1.5- 2 times as long as calyx, it flowers through all year.

Fruit/seeds: Schizocarp, dry, 4 lobed with 4 mericarps

Does the plant have any uses?

Cultivated for ornamental use

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