Verbena hastata

Species category

Weed

Common name

swamp verbena, blue vervain, blue verbena, Simpler's-joy

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 2–2.3 mm 
  • Width 0.5–0.7 mm 
  • Thickness 0.5–0.7 mm 

Color

Light brown and white on two flat sides

Texture

Faint longitudinal ridges on rounded surface; scurfyScurf:
Having flakes on the surface.
on flat sides.

Other structures

FruitFruit:
A mature ovary and any associated parts.
separated longitudinally into 4 sections, hilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
on one end.

Identification notes

This 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 a longitudinal section of a fruitFruit:
A mature ovary and any associated parts.
. It is rounded on the exterior portion and flat on the two internal portions. HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
lays behind a collar on one end.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Verbenaceae

Valid name

Verbena hastata L.

 Verbena hastata.  Nutlets that are rounded on the exterior portion and flat on the two internal portions.
Verbena hastata. Nutlets that are rounded on the exterior portion and flat on the two internal portions.
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.