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Family: Verbenaceae Scientific name: Verbena bonariensis Description: Plant Form: Upright perennial herb. Size: Up to 2 m tall. Stem: Rigid, erect, covered in rough hairs, rectangular. Often 3-branched at base. Leaves: Narrow oval-shaped, 4-22 cm long, half-clasping the stem. Wrinkly, rough, shaggy, and with serrated edges. Densely hairy underneath. Flowers: Small, bluish purple or pinkish tubular, 2.5-3.5 mm long. In compact spikes on the end of branching heads which are covered in sticky hairs. Fruit and Seeds: Dry, 1.5-1.8 mm long, enclosed in outer flower parts. Habitat: Wastelands, cropping areas, grasslands, disturbed areas, riparian areas. Distinguishing Features: Very similar to another non-native Purpletop (Verbena incompta), but this species lacks the sticky hairs on the flowerheads. Weed Status: Other Weed Weed Type: Environmental, Agricultural, Common, Invasive Garden Escapee Lifeform: Herbaceous
