Home | > | List of families | > | Verbenaceae | > | Verbena | > | bonariensis |
Synonyms: | |
Common names: | Purple top (English) Wild verbena (English) |
Frequency: | Common |
Status: | Introduced |
Description: |
Erect annual herb, 0.6-2 m; stems scabrid to hispid or hairy. Leaves ovate, obovate or ovate-lanceolate below, narrower above, sessile, often ± amplexicaul, serrate. Inflorescence of numerous spikes, usually arranged in dense groups of 3. Bracts purplish, lanceolate, 2.75-4 mm. Calyx purplish. Corolla purple or magenta; tube 5.5-7 mm, exserted for c.1/2 of its length. |
Notes: | This species is very similar to Verbena brasiliensis. It can be distinguished by the slightly larger flowers which generally overtop the tuft of bracts at the top of the spikes. The floral bracts are mostly shorter than the calyces and the hairs on undersurfaces of the leaves are shorter, denser and hylaline, not whitish. |
Derivation of specific name: | |
Habitat: | In disturbed places, and in veis and wet areas. |
Altitude range: (metres) | |
Flowering time: | Oct - Mar |
Worldwide distribution: | Native of South America |
Zimbabwe distribution: | N,W,C,E,S |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Literature: |
Fernandes, R. (2005). Verbenaceae Flora Zambesiaca 8(7) Page 11. Kirby, G. (2013). Wild Flowers of Southeast Botswana Struik Nature, Cape Town South Africa Page 334. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 82. Maroyi, A. (2006). Preliminary checklist of introduced and naturalized plants in Zimbabwe. Kirkia 18(2) Page 246. Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 111. Yeo, P.F. (1989). A re-definition of Verbena brasiliensis Kew Bulletin 45(1) Pages 105 - 1098. (Includes a picture). |
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