Did you know that vervain actually has a flower name too?

Other names for vervain

Purple-top dragon's-teeth grass, wild catnip, dragon's-teeth grass, phoenix-neck grass, dragonfly grass, blood-retreating grass, swallowtail grass, Latin scientific name HerbaVerbenaeOfficinalis

Vervain family and genus

Verbenaceae

Vervain distribution areas

Southwest China, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Xinjiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian

Morphological characteristics of vervain

Vervain is a perennial herbaceous plant. Because its whip-like sheath appears in a spike shape, it is also called vervain. The stem of vervain is square, square in the upper part and nearly round in the lower part, with short stiff hairs on the ridges and nodes. The simple leaves are opposite, and the leaf blades are ovate with deep divisions similar to chicken claws. The lobes show irregular pinnate divisions, and both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaf blades are covered with stiff hairs, with the hairs on the veins of the lower surface being especially dense.

The flowers of vervain are blue-purple spike-shaped inflorescences, generally blooming in summer and autumn; the calyx is membranous and tubular, with the tip shaped like a chicken claw5and divided; the fruit of vervain is concealed within the calyx and splits open when mature into4small nutlets; the flowering period of vervain is7-8month, and the fruiting period is10-11month.

Growth habits of vervain

Vervain likes fertilizer and can grow in general soil, but it grows vigorously in deep, fertile sandy loam, and low-lying, waterlogged land is not suitable for planting; vervain likes a moist environment but is afraid of waterlogging, so when watering, avoid water accumulation in the pot. Choose loam or sandy loam with a thicker soil layer as the planting site.4late month~5early month for sowing. Prevent weed infestation and keep the field free of weeds. Long-term large amounts of water accumulation in the field can lead to root rot, and it can be avoided as long as drainage and loosening of the soil are done in time.

Vervain flower language

Justice, expectation. White vervain symbolizes purity and innocence, and expecting one's love to return. Red vervain symbolizes working together with one heart and a harmonious family where all endeavors prosper.

Symbolic meaning of vervain

Vervain is regarded as a sacred flower in Christianity. In medieval legend, it had the effect of breaking curses and was often used to decorate altars with religious significance. In many literary and artistic works, there are descriptions of vervain restraining vampires.

Vervain forecasts weather

Wild vervain can forecast weather. Vervain is very sensitive to humidity. When the roots exposed outside the soil become moldy and carry a white color, it indicates rain.