Brazilian verbena is an annual or short-lived perennial in the vervain family (Verbenaceae) that is native to South America. It is an invasive weed that can be found in both wetland areas and drier sites such as fields, roadsides and other disturbed areas. it is found in all areas of NC but is rarer in the mountains. The 3-8 foot tall stems are angular with stiff hairs from which loose terminal spikes of flowers are borne. The leaves also have stiff hairs with bristles on the undersides along the major veins. You can distinguish this plant from V. bonariensis by its smaller flowers, floral bracts that are as long or slightly longer than the calyces and leaves that are sessile and not clasping. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It is considered a significant invasive species of the mid-south United States and is prohibited on National Forest System Lands of the United States. It displaces native plants.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry | Occasionally Wet
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Coarse
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Simple green leaves have short stiff hairs, serrate margins and no stems (sessile). The base is long tapered and the tip is acute. The pinnate veins are sunken on the upper surface. Leaves are 1.5- 4 inches long and 1/3 to 1 inch wide.
Flower value
Long-lasting
Flower form
Spike
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Small blue, pink or purple flowers occur in loose terminal spikes. There are 5 lobes that are joined nearly to the apex. The corolla is bluish-purple and slightly protrudes from the calyx. Four stamens are on top of the corolla tube. All parts have hairs.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Schizocarp
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The schizocarp contains two brown nutlets
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Four-sided branched green stems with stiff hairs and ridges.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
South America
Distribution
naturalized from Virginia to Florida and west along the gulf coast.