Citation: L., Sp. Pl. 20 (1753).

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: Common verbena.

Description:
Erect diffusely branched perennial, 30-90 cm high; stem longitudinally ribbed, scabrid on ridges; leaves shortly petiolate or sessile with a narrow base, ovate-cuneate, oblong or lanceolate, pinnatifid to pinnatipartite or coarsely-toothed, 2-10 cm long, 0.7-4 cm wide, strigulose, with the upper ones often sessile and entire.

Spikes terminal, pedunculate, solitary or in lax panicles, slender, glandular-pubescent, 10-25 cm long; flowers distant in the lower part of the spike; bracts ovate-acuminate, ciliate, up to half as long as the calyx; calyx 5-toothed, 2.5-3 mm long, glandular-pubescent; corolla pale-pink or lilac, twice as long as the calyx, glabrous.

Mericarps 1.5-2 mm long, reddish-brown, with 4 or 5 longitudinal ribs on the back.

	Flowering branch, flower and opened flower.
Image source: fig. 545B in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).

Published illustration: Keble-Martin (1965) The concise Bristish flora in colour, p. 67; Munir in Jessop (1981) Flora of central Australia, fig. 390; Cunningham et al. (1982) Plants of western New south Wales, p. 569.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: NW, LE, GT, FR, EA, MU, SL, SE.   N.T.; Qld; N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas.   Widespread in temperate countries of the world; native to the Mediterranean region. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: mainly Oct. — Jan.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Author: Not yet available