Verbena urticifolia (White vervain)

Verbena urticifolia is commonly known as white vervain, is a native perennial of moist woodlands, streambanks, and meadows. Plants grow slender lance-leaved stalks 2 to 5 feet tall, with wide branching stems. The leaves are reminiscent in appearance to stinging nettles, owing to its other common name, nettle-leaved vervain.

 

White vervain is characterized by its long, loose, spike-like inflorescences, which consist of numerous miniscule white flowers. The plant doesn't bloom all at once, instead only a few open at a time along the spikes from summer into fall. These miniscule blooms still draw in a wide range of pollinators: bumblebees, solitary bees, various native flies, small butterflies and moths, and wasps. Once pollinated each flower makes 4 tiny nutlets, which remain afixed to the stems and are eaten by birds such as sparrows.

 

In spite of the plant producing numerous seed, it rarely becomes weedy and usually doesn't form large colonies. It tends to be a short lived perennial that flourishes and reseeds in disturbed areas, such as old agricultural fields, pastures, and roadsides, preferring part sun and well draining soil.

 

The plant is a host species to the Verbena moth (Crambodes talidiformis) and a few other Verbena specialists beetles, aphids, and other insects that feast on the foliage. Late season, tattered, bug-eaten leaves can look unappealing, but is a sign that a native plant is supporting wildlife in many forms.

 

After flowering, white vervein is susceptible to a coating of powdery mildew, especially when grown in shade with poor airflow, such as roadside ditches. The entire plant turns an eye-catching, pale gray-white. When coupled with the long, spindly flower/seed spikes, it gives this plant a ghostly and otherworldly appearance, perfect for Halloween/autumn vibes. The mildew rarely affects other plants, Verbena being more susceptible late in the season.