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Verbena officinalis - L.

Common Name Vervain, Herb of the cross, Prostrate verbena
Family Verbenaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards High doses of verbenalin can cause nervous system paralysis resulting in stupor & convulsion. Allopathic medicine for high blood pressure can be effected by vervain. Uterus stimulation possible - avoid during pregnancy. Avoid if breast feeding. If allergies or fits use with caution [301].
Habitats Waste ground and roadsides, avoiding acid soils and shady positions[4, 7, 17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Denmark south and east to N. Africa, W. Asia to the Himalayas.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Verbena officinalis Vervain, Herb of the cross, Prostrate verbena


commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Verbena_officinalis0.jpg
Verbena officinalis Vervain, Herb of the cross, Prostrate verbena
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Verbena officinalis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf from April to October, in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves
Edible Uses: Tea

Leaves - parboiled, seasoned and then eaten[183]. The leaves are used as a tea substitute[7, 183]. The flowers are used as a garnish[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Analgesic  Antibacterial  Anticoagulant  Antipruritic  Antirheumatic  Antispasmodic  Antitumor  Astringent  
Bach  Birthing aid  Depurative  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Dysentery  Eczema  
Emmenagogue  Galactogogue  Stimulant  Tonic  Vulnerary

Vervain, which has tonic and restorative properties, is sometimes used as a domestic herbal remedy. It is useful when taken internally in the treatment of headaches, fevers, nervous exhaustion, depression, gall bladder problems, insufficient lactation etc[4, 238]. It should not be given to pregnant women, though it can be used to assist contractions during labour[238]. Externally, it is used to treat minor injuries, eczema, sores, neuralgia and gum disease[238]. The leaves and flowering stems are analgesic, antibacterial, anticoagulant, antispasmodic, astringent, depurative, diaphoretic, mildly diuretic, emmenagogue, galactogogue, stimulant, tonic and vulnerary[4, 9, 21, 147, 165, 176, 218, 238]. The plant is harvested as flowering begins in the summer and dried for later use[7, 238]. Some remarkable results have been obtained when using this plant in the treatment of certain tumours, but further research needs to be carried out before definite claims can be made[7]. The root is astringent, it is used in the treatment of dysentery[218]. This species was ranked 12th in a Chinese survey of 250 potential antifertility plants[218]. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Strain', 'Stress', 'Tension' and 'Over-enthusiasm'[209].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained but moisture retentive soil in a sunny position[1, 200]. Plants are very tolerant of neglect and will maintain themselves for a number of years even when growing in dense weed competition[K]. Self-sows freely when growing in a suitable position[K]. The growing plant attracts butterflies and moths[30].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 3 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. If you have sufficient seed, it can also be sown in situ in late spring. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring. Basal cuttings in early summer. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Gale Chester Whittington   Mon Jul 28 2008

FreeFishCareTips.com Free Wild and Domestic Oklahoma flower photos and tips

Jose Waizel-Bucay   Thu Jan 1 2009

Synon: Verbena setosa M. Martens & Galeotti

   Aug 15 2011 12:00AM

Verbena officinalis contains AMPHITINE It help to hold skin graphting(surgical procedure) It grows abundant in planes of Punjab especially Faisalabad Pakistan We use it at conventional antiaging with Bacopa and gotukola NNCPakistan.com herbalist Anwar Khan Lodhi

   Sep 23 2012 12:00AM

I have some growing in a shady bed in my back garden here in London - it just gets morning sun.

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Subject : Verbena officinalis  
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