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Information About

Verbena Officinalis




  Name ''Verbena officinalis''
  Regnum Plant ae
  Divisio Magnoliophyta
  Classis Magnoliopsida
  Ordo Lamiales
  Familia Verbenaceae
  Genus '' Verbena ''
  Species '''''V officinalis'''''
  Binomial ''Verbena officinalis''
  Binomial Authority L


''Verbena officinalis'' ('''Common Vervain''', '''Common Verbena''', or '''Holy Herb''') is a perennial Herb native to southern Europe . It grows to a metre high with an upright habit and prefers limy soils. The lobed leaves are toothed, the delicate spikes hold mauve flowers.


Cultivation and uses

Propagation is by seed or root. It is widely Naturalised outside its native range.

In northern Europe it was regarded as a sacred herb, used in sacred ointments to cleanse and defend against demonic illness.

According to the William Faulkner short story "An Odor of Verbena", Verbena is the only scent that can be smelled above the scent of horses and courage.