What does the perennial herb verbena look like? Where does it grow? Which months is it in bloom? Can it predict the weather?
Verbena, also known as verbena tip, iron verbena, purple-topped dragon bud grass, etc., is a perennial herb, 30-120 cm tall. So, what does verbena look like? Where does it grow? Which months is it in bloom? Can it predict the weather?
1. What does verbena look like?
The stem is square, with stiff hairs on the nodes and ridges. The leaves are opposite, nearly sessile; the blades are ovate to obovate or oblong-lanceolate; the basal leaves often have coarse serrations and incisions; most stem leaves are 3-parted deeply, with inconspicuous coarse serrations on the edges of the lobes, and both surfaces are covered with stiff hairs, especially on the veins beneath. The spike is slender, terminal or axillary; beneath each flower is 1 ovate-subulate bract; the calyx is tubular, membranous, 5-toothed; the corolla is tubular, pale purple to blue, 5-lobed, nearly two-lipped; stamens 4, inserted at the middle of the corolla tube, didynamous, filaments short; the ovary is superior, 4-locular. The capsule is oblong, with a thin exocarp, and splits into 4 valves when mature.
2. Where does verbena grow? Which months is it in bloom?
Verbena can be seen in fields and on hillsides in many places, including Hubei, Jiangsu and Guangxi. It is understood that verbena blooms from June to August and fruits from July to November.
3. Can it predict the weather?
Verbena can forecast the weather. Verbena is sensitive to humidity; if the roots exposed above the soil become moldy and whitish, it indicates rain.
Note: Verbena is very low in toxicity, does not cause hemolysis, and has a parasympathomimetic effect. This species is listed as a toxic plant in the Chinese plant atlas database; its toxicity is that the whole herb is slightly toxic, and preparations can treat malaria, diphtheria, influenza, etc. Some people experience nausea, dizziness, headache, vomiting and abdominal pain after taking it. It is contraindicated for pregnant women.