Verbena urticifolia

Species category

Weed

Common name

white vervain, white verbena

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

NutletNutlet:
A small, dry, indehiscent carpel of a fruit, usually composed of one quarter of the fruit with each enclosing a single seed (e.g. mints).

Shape

Oblong

Size

  • Length 1.8–2 mm 
  • Width 0.5–0.7 mm 
  • Thickness 0.5–0.7 mm 

Color

Light brown and white on two flat sides

Texture

Back with few weak longitudinal ridges; flat sides scurfyScurf:
Having flakes on the surface.
.

Other structures

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
is behind collar on one end.

Identification notes

The nutletNutlet:
A small, dry, indehiscent carpel of a fruit, usually composed of one quarter of the fruit with each enclosing a single seed (e.g. mints).
is one-fourth of the longitudinal section of a fruitFruit:
A mature ovary and any associated parts.
. This species has fairly short nutletsNutlet:
A small, dry, indehiscent carpel of a fruit, usually composed of one quarter of the fruit with each enclosing a single seed (e.g. mints).
by comparison. The scurfyScurf:
Having flakes on the surface.
appearance is not as intense as it is for the other Verbena spp.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Verbenaceae

Valid name

Verbena urticifolia L.

From Left to Right: 1.  Verbena stricta  2.  Verbena hastata  3.  Verbena urticifolia.   
From Left to Right: 1. Verbena stricta 2. Verbena hastata 3. Verbena urticifolia.