Verbena, << vuhr BEE nuh, >> is a group of plants that are cultivated for their showy flowers. Nearly all verbenas are native to North or South America. Most wild verbenas grow in tropical and subtropical regions. There are dozens of species (kinds) of verbenas. Only a few are cultivated.
Most wild verbena have spikes of small flowers that are not showy. These verbenas are frequently called vervains. Cultivated verbenas have clusters of showy flowers. These flowers grow in a great variety of colors, including pink, red, white, and purple. The flowers of all verbenas have a tubelike shape. They flare into five petals at the tip.
Wild verbenas grow in prairies and meadows. They are also found along roads as weeds. Cultivated verbenas are usually started from seed indoors and are later transplanted outdoors. They may also be started from cuttings. Lemon verbena may be used as an ingredient in herbal teas and alcoholic beverages. It also is an ingredient in some perfumes. Certain verbenas, including lemon verbena, were traditionally used as medicines. These verbenas were used to treat a variety of ailments, including cough and fever.
