Verbena

"Today vervain has escaped to the wastelands, roadsides, and wet meadows,

it's services and magic forgotten.  In late summer it waves its tassels of

rosy flowers, unrecognized, unwanted, and ignored, biding its time-

a living clue to our colonial past".

Green Immigrants

I am guilty as charged.  All summer long, in fact all last summer included, I have been going beside the shed to gather the water hose to water the potted plants and fill the bird bath.  I had noticed a rather gangly plant coming up where I wrap the hose and had even admired it's leaves, but honestly had been too busy to investigate much.  The leaves reminded me of nettle, figured that's what it was and left it at that.  Until this year I happened to notice the bloom.  Not at all showy, rather quite the opposite.  Perhaps that is what caught my attention.  A plant who has large leaves, would be quite tall if it wasn't flopped over for lack of sunshine and to have these teeny, tiny flowers that were scattered among it like confetti.  Interesting.  After investigating, it's true identity was discovered.  White vervain.

Beautyberry leaf next to white vervain.  They are quite similar.

Verbena urticifolia is its' proper name.  Urticifolia, being the species, is Latin for nettle leaved.  Aha.  Aptly named.  Seems everyone else thinks it looks like a nettle, too!  And, not only is verbena the genus, it is also the name of the whole family to which this plant belongs, Verbenaceae.  The verbena family I learned, not only consist of the verbena genus, but also the genera of Callicarpa (beautyberry), Lantana, Vitex (chaste tree), Caryopteris and Aloysia citrodoro or better known as lemon verbena and 26 other genera.  One of the many examples why I love the study of classification and what makes it so interesting.   All of this plant genealogy is very interesting, but as always the case with plants, the journey of learning was just beginning.  So, let's go way back........

To Egypt 3500 bc.  Verbena is native to the Mediterranean, but grows wild in most of Europe, Northern Africa, China and Japan.  So it grew wild along the Nile and was dedicated to Isis, the goddess of motherhood, fertility and the patron of nature.  The Nile would flood every year when the "dog star" or Sirius was first spotted in the sky.  The flooding renewed the soil and made for rich farming land and was eagerly anticipated by the people.  It was also believed that the flooding was caused from the tears of Isis out of sorrow for her deceased husband.  Since verbena grew on the banks, it was naturally associated with her and is still called "Tears of Isis".

Now the plant makes its' journey to the Romans, where it is elevated to an even higher level.  The Romans used many types of plants in sacrifices, prayer or cleansings.  These particular plants as a whole were classically called "verbena" which means "sacred boughs" and included laurel, olive, myrtle, cypress and others.  Some real heavyweights.  Now, our plant is not a stately or showy plant, considering the other altar plants, but for some reason this plant was revered above all others and the name "verbena" was attached solely to this one plant.  One of it's names was hiera botane, or sacred plant and was used to purify the temples and homes.  It was used in honor of Venus and Diana and carried into battle by the Roman soldiers.  Quite the place of honor for such an unassuming plant.   But looks can be deceiving.  The official name of this Old World variety is Verbena officinalis, and we know what officinalis means.  Of the workshop or apothecary.  It was used for intestinal disorders, nervous system, female problems, exhaustion, dysentery, congestion and the list goes on and on.  It is not to be used by pregnant women, as it is a uterine stimulant.  There are no other known side effects although some researchers are claiming it can bring on vomiting.  (Interesting as a side note to notice that verbena was used for female problems as is the chaste tree, which is a close cousin).  The above ground parts of the plants are used medicinally and are collected just before the flowers open around July.  Dry the leaves quickly for best results.

We are then taken to King Solomon and where the plant was used to cleanse the temple.  The plant also grew on the Mount of Calgary and was used to staunch the wounds of Christ after the Crucifixion.  One of it's more common names is Herb of Grace or Herb of the Cross.

Verbena made it's way westward to England and Scotland around 200 bc, where it was revered by the Druids and where it got it's name of vervain.  Celtic ferfaen.   Fer means to drive away and faen means a particular stone.  One of it's uses was for bladder stones.  Vervain was thought as highly as mistletoe to the Druids and as such was only suppose to be collected when neither the sun or the moon was in the sky.  Possibly an overcast day!?   Also written as to when to collect was when the star Sirius arose, which is summer, and from unsunned spots.  (The mention of the star Sirius appears again).  Honeycombs should then be left on the ground where the vervain was collected as an expression of gratitude for the harvest.  Vervain was also strewn or buried in fields as an assurance for a bountiful crop.  It was also used to protect against vampires and witches.  Quite the responsibility put on this plant!

The Puritans brought Verbena officinalis to North America, but interestingly, we have many species which are indigenous to our soils.  Verbena hastata, which means spear or arrowhead leaved, is found in all of the United States and most of Canada.  Also called American Blue or Simplers Joy, it is taller than it's European relative and the flower is a somewhat darker shade but the chemical properties and medicinal uses are the same.  It is found mainly in moist prairies, stream banks and along roadsides.  It blooms from June through September.  It has been used by most of the Native American tribes for bladder infections, circulatory problems, headaches, insomnia, snake bites, etc.  The Iroquois made an infusion of smashed leaves which was supposed to have powers to make an obnoxious person leave.  Best use found so far!  There are also species found in Central America used by the Aztecs and the Mexicans still use it today for severe colds and the flu.  The species I have growing, Verbena urticifolia, can be found in the Eastern half of the US and Canada.  It is milder and less bitter than the American Blue.

In the garden verbena sows easily from seed sown in the Fall or early Spring.  It is drought tolerant and needs full sun and fairly well drained soil to flourish.  Butterflies love it!  Today we have many different cultivars being developed for the garden.  They are showier than their parents, but still contain some of the tough characteristics, as in being drought tolerant.  These plants, however, are not the same that were used medicinally and should not be used for this purpose.  Ironically, I had bought one for my deck and it sits only 10 feet from the white vervain and I didn't even realize at the time they were remotely related.

Whew!  What a journey!  Plants are so amazing when we stop and take the time to connect with their history.  It would probably do us an amazing amount of good to slow down and learn how our forefathers used and appreciated plants that were vital to them.   What looks like such an ordinary plant and to have such a remarkable past!  Hopefully, the verbena plant won't have to sit dejected in the ditches forever before we awake and appreciate what nature has bestowed on us.