Ted Bodner, USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Miller, J.H. and K.V. Miller. 2005. Forest plants of the southeast and their wildlife uses. University of Georgia Press, Athens

Family: Verbenaceae (verbena family)

Synonym(s): Brazilian Verbena (Verbena bonariensis)

Duration: Annual

Habit: Subshrub

Listed by:
Invasive Plant Atlas of the US: 1
Federal Noxious Weed: 0
TDA Noxious Weed: 0
TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species: 0

Description: Verbena brasiliensis is an annual or short-lived perennial herb with erect, quadrangular stems up to 1-2.5 meters in height. Upper branches are 4-9 cm long, opposite, and ascending. Opposite, elliptic leaves are simple and serate, with stiff bristles on the undersides along the major veins. Small blue, pink or purple flowers occur in loose terminal spikes. The flower corolla is bluish-purple and slightly protrudes. All parts of the flowers have hairs. Fruit produces 2 brown nutlets about 1.2-1.9mm long

History: Verbena brasiliensis is used as an ornamental and is cultivated for garden use.

Biology & Spread: Verbena brasiliensis reproduces sexually by the production of seeds.

Ecological Threat: It is able to displace native plants and is considered a significant invasive species of the mid-south United States. Now, it is prohibited on National Forest System Lands of the United States.

US Habitat: It can be found in both wetland areas and drier sites such as fields, range/grasslands, roadsides and other disturbed areas.

Distribution

US Nativity: Introduced to U.S.

Native Origin: South America

US States: AL, AR, CA, FL, GA, HI, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, OK, OR, SC, TN, TX, VA

Resembles/Alternatives:

Management:
Preventative: In an effort to manage the species, Verbena brasiliensis should not be planted or sold as an ornamental.

Mechanical: Pulling them out by their base often gets the plant and the majority of the roots out. Cutting off the inflorescences before they go to seed can help slow its spread

Chemical: Herbicide may be used as a managment tool, but the herbicides sulfometuron and hexazinone are not effective on this species.

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.

Listing Source

Texas Department ofAgriculture Noxious Plant List
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Prohibited Exotic Species
Invaders Program
Federal Noxious Weed
Union of Concerned Scientists
United States Forest Service Southern Research Station

Text References

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG). 2008. Verbena brasiliensis (herb). Accessed 25 November 2008: http://www.invasivespecies.net/database/species/ecology.asp?si=1213&fr=1&sts=.

Data Source

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/verbena-brasiliensis/common-name/brazilian-vervain/

https://uh-ir.tdl.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/077dc832-6641-4a39-86c9-7f4ca7380419/content

Last Updated: 2024-01-24 by ARMO, TISI