Family: Verbenaceae — vervain family

Our species of the Verbenaceae are herbs, usually with square stems and opposite leaves. The leaves are simple and may be entire, toothed, or prominently lobed. The flowers are usually arranged in spikes. The flowers are zygomorphic (bilaterally symmetrical) and have both pollen-bearing and ovule-bearing parts. There are 5 sepals that are fused together into a lobed tube. Five petals are fused at the base into a tube that widens at its end. The petals and sepals attach below the ovary (i.e., the ovary is superior), while the 4 stamens are united near their bases with the petals. There is 1 style and 1 stigma. The fruit in our species is a dry schizocarp that splits into 4 segments. Some species formerly considered to be part of this family have been moved to the Phrymaceae.

This family’s genera in New England

• Glandularia
• Verbena

Visit this family in the Dichotomous Key

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