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Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida (Prairie verbena)
Flaigg, Norman G.

Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida (Nutt.) Nutt.

Prairie verbena, Purple prairie verbena, Dakota mock vervain, Dakota vervain

Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)

Synonyms: Verbena bipinnatifida

USDA Symbol: GLBIB

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The 6-12 in. stems branch near the base, usually lying on the ground with rising tips. Plants are covered with long, whitish hairs. Leaves are opposite and deeply cut several times on both sides of the midrib; they are 1–3 1/2 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide on a 1-inch stem. Branch-tip, ball-shaped flower heads are composed of tubular, five-lobed, purple flowers with dark centers. Individual flowers are about 1/2 inch long and 1/2 inch wide at the opening, with 5 sepals and 5 petals. Branches continue elongating throughout the season, producing new flowers.

This species is a member of the verbena family (family Verbenaceae), which includes about 75 genera and 3,000 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees, mostly of tropical and warm temperate regions. Among them, teak is a highly prized furniture wood, and Vervain, Lantana, Lippia or Frog Fruit are grown as ornamentals.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual , Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Size Notes: 6-12 inches.
Flower: Flowers in 2 inch heads
Fruit:
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , GA , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NE , NM , OK , SD , TN , TX , WI , WY
Native Distribution: MS to AZ, n. to SD
Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs
USDA Native Status: L48(N), PR(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Sandy to gravelly soils. Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Limestone/chalky, Sandy, Clay, Limestone-based, Caliche type
Conditions Comments: The stems branch near the base, usually lying on the ground with rising tips. Branch-tip, ball-shaped flower heads are composed of tubular, purple flowers. Branches continue elongating throughout the season, producing new flowers. A short-lived perennial. It is valued for the long bloom period of its showy flowers.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Ground cover, Rock gardens, Fall conspicuous, Showy, Blooms ornamental, Wildflower meadow, Perennial garden
Use Wildlife: Attracts butterflies.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: Moderate

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Propagate by seed, cuttings, or transplanting of small plants in winter. Transplant rooted cuttings as soon as they form roots. Plants along highways continually produce new growth where mowed. Cuttings taken in spring do better than those taken in summer. Plants start producing new growth mid-winter.
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Maintenance: Remove spent blossoms, Prevent complete soil dryness, Maintain mulch layer, Fertilize in spring with rose food

Find Seed or Plants

Order seed of this species from Native American Seed and help support the Wildflower Center.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Native plants for container gardens in Central Texas
March 11, 2008
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants: I moved to TX last year, for now living in an apartment with a good-size but shady deck; my garden in VA was full of VA native plants. What TX natives, if any, can I grow in ...
view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0193 Collected Mar. 15, 1992 in Comal County by Mary Beth White
NPSOT 0875 Collected May 4, 1994 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe
NPSOT 0026 Collected July 21, 1990 in Bexar County by Judith C. Berry
NPSOT 0591 Collected Oct 19, 1990 in Comal County by Harry Cliffe

Bibliography

Bibref 765 - McMillen's Texas Gardening: Wildflowers (1998) Howard, D.
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida

Metadata

Record Modified: 2011-04-24
Research By: TWC Staff

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