In what kind of environment does vervain grow most advantageously?

Other names for vervain

Purple-topped dragon's-teeth grass, wild catnip, dragon's-teeth grass, phoenix-neck grass, dragonfly grass, blood-stopping grass, swallowtail grass; Latin scientific name HerbaVerbenaeOfficinalis

Vervain family and genus

Verbenaceae

Vervain distribution areas

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

Vervain morphological characteristics

Vervain is a perennial herbaceous plant. Because its whip-like sheath is spike-shaped, 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 leaves are simple and opposite, ovate, with deep clefts similar to chicken claws; the lobes are irregularly pinnately divided, and both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves bear stiff hairs, with the hairs on the veins of the lower surface being especially dense.

Vervain's flowers are blue-purple spike-shaped inflorescences, generally opening in summer and autumn; the calyx is membranous and tubular, with the apex5-cleft like a chicken claw; the fruit of vervain is enclosed within the calyx and splits open into4 small nutlets when mature; vervain's flowering period is7-8month, and its fruiting period is10-11month.

Vervain growth habits

Vervain likes fertilizer and can grow in ordinary soil, but it grows robustly in deep, fertile sandy loam; low-lying, easily waterlogged land is not suitable for planting. Vervain likes a moist environment but is afraid of waterlogging, so when watering, avoid water accumulating in the pot. Choose loam or sandy loam with a relatively thick soil layer as the planting site. Sow in late4month to early5month. Prevent weed infestation and keep the field free of weeds. Long periods of heavy water accumulation in the field can cause root rot; as long as drainage is timely and the soil is loosened, it can be avoided.

Vervain flower language

Justice, expectation. White vervain symbolizes purity and innocence, and the hope that one's love will return; red vervain symbolizes pulling together and harmony in the family with all endeavors prospering.

Vervain symbolic meaning

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

Vervain forecasts the weather

Wild vervain can forecast the weather. Vervain is very sensitive to humidity; when the roots exposed above the soil become moldy and whitish, it foretells rain.