Hoary vervain, also known by its scientific name Verbena stricta, is a common plant growing on our remnant bluff prairies. "Verbena" means "sacred herb" in Latin and was apparently used as an alter plant in Roman times. "Stricta" means "erect" describing its upright growth form. It started blooming a few weeks ago and will continue producing flowers well into September. Here is one growing on Zoerb Prairie with Lookout Prairie in the background:
Here is a close up:
The flower has five petals and is most often blue-purple in color, although it can occasionally be pink or even white. It grows in a spike arrangement and blooms from the bottom up. This plant is a short-lived perennial that is hardy and resistant to drought, with a long tap root and thrives as an early colonizer in disturbed areas, particularly those with poor soil. It is less competitive in richer soils and in areas with dense growth of native prairie grasses. We commonly see it along the edges of prairies that have been opened up, where it spreads by seed. It is also commonly seen along roads and in grazed areas, as cattle tend to avoid eating it. Native bees and butterflies, however, are very attracted to its nectar, while some birds and small mammals consume its seeds in the winter (see https://illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/hry_vervainx.htm ). Additionally, it serves as one of the host plants for the common buckeye butterfly larvae: https://wisconsinbutterflies.org/butterfly/species/93-common-buckeye
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