Bracted Vervain, Bigbract Vervain

Verbena bracteata Cav. ex Lag. & Rodr.

Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)

Flowering mature plant ▲

Close-up of flowering stems ▲

Close-up of flowers ▲

Seedling ▲

Older mature plant, showing fruit at tips of branches ▲

Bracted Vervain: 

·         Native summer annual, with many prostrate branches growing from central, compressed stem

·         Leaves opposite, with toothed margins and rough-texture

·         Stems and leaves are usually hairy

·         Plants  usually form circular mats of radiating stems with purplish-pink flowers in bracted inflorescences at upturned stem tips

·         Tolerates dry, compacted soils

·         Not readily grazed by livestock, and commonly found in compacted pastures, on roadsides, over-grazed areas, feedlots