Home Flower Identifier Flower Details
Verbena
🌸

Verbena

Verbena

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
Related

Basic Details

NameVerbena
DescriptionVersatile and colorful flowering plant producing dense clusters of small, five-petaled flowers in vibrant shades of purple, red, pink, white, and blue, often with contrasting white eyes. Available in both upright and trailing forms, verbenas create spectacular displays in gardens, containers, and hanging baskets. These heat-loving plants bloom continuously from late spring through frost, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds while requiring minimal care.
FamilyVerbenaceae
GenusVerbena
TribeVerbeneae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral Formula% ⚥ K(5) C(5) A4 G(2)

Bilaterally symmetrical, bisexual, 5 fused sepals forming calyx, 5 fused petals forming salverform (flat-faced) corolla, 4 stamens (didynamous), 2 fused carpels with superior ovary typical of Verbenaceae

Features
  • Name 'Verbena' comes from Latin word for sacred plants used in religious ceremonies by ancient Romans. Genus includes about 250 species of annuals, perennials, and subshrubs. Some species called 'vervain' and used medicinally for centuries
  • Small tubular flowers with five flat petals arranged in dense, rounded clusters (umbels) measuring 2-3 inches across. Individual flowers are 0.25-0.5 inches wide. Many varieties have contrasting white or yellow centers creating a 'starburst' effect
  • Growth habits vary: annual verbenas (tender perennials grown as annuals), hardy perennial verbenas, and trailing types. Blooms continuously from late spring through fall with deadheading. Some species are fragrant, especially in evening
  • Height ranges from 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) for trailing types to 12-48 inches (30-120 cm) for upright varieties. Spread can reach 18-36 inches for trailing forms. Lifespan of 1 season for annuals, 3-5 years for perennials. Propagated by seed or cuttings
  • Native to Americas with species from North, Central, and South America. Found in diverse habitats from prairies to tropical regions. Garden verbenas are often hybrids of South American species
  • Requires full sun (6-8 hours daily) for best flowering. Thrives in well-drained soil and tolerates heat and drought once established. Prefers moderate water but sensitive to overwatering. Hardy in zones 7-11 depending on species
  • Excellent butterfly and hummingbird attractor. Deer and rabbit resistant. Some species (V. officinalis) used in herbal medicine for anxiety and sleep. Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora, formerly Verbena) prized for fragrant leaves used in teas

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificVerbena
English (Alternate)Vervain, Garden Verbena, Annual Verbena, and Trailing Verbena
Hindiवर्बीना (Varbīnā)
Tamilவெர்பீனா (Verpīṉā)
Teluguవెర్బీనా (Verbīnā)
Malayalamവെർബീന (Verbīna)
Kannadaವರ್ಬೀನಾ (Varbīnā)
Sanskritपवित्रपुष्पम् (Pavitrapuṣpam)
Bengaliভার্বেনা (Bhārbenā)
Frenchverveine
Russianвербена (verbena)
Spanishverbena
GermanVerbene, Eisenkraut

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.