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Flaigg, Norman G. (Austin, TX)

Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida (Nutt.) Nutt.

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, and Chase Tree or Vitex are grown as ornamentals.

 

From the Image Gallery

View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.

Plant Characteristics

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

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: AL , AZ , AR , CA , CO , GA , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MS , MO , 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.
texas comments: Prairie verbena is 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

PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants

Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida (Dakota mock vervain) is a PlantWise native alternative for:

   Glandularia pulchella (South American mock vervain)
   Lantana montevidensis (trailing shrubverbena)

Find Seed or Plants

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

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: 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 containers on a shady deck? Besides prickly pear: already have babies growing from three fallen pads that I potted. Thank you.
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: I have a steep, dry hillside measuring approximately 4 feet high by six feet wide. I want to plant low growing, evergreen, flowering plants across the bed that will flower as long as possible, and thrive in the given conditions. I live in Austin. The hillside receives part to full sun. There is irrigation for water. At the top of the bed there is yellow nandina, a crepe myrtle and rosemary shrubs. Do you have any suggestions, please?
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

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

Search More Titles in Bibliography

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: 2008-06-06
Research By: TWC Staff

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