Verbena bracteata
(Bigbract Verbena)
Verbena bracteata, Lathrop State Park, Huerfano Co. 7672
Verbena bracteata, Along CR 66 west of Meeker, Rio Blanco Co. 1323
Verbena bracteata, Divide Road, Uncompahgre Plateau, Mesa Co. 4632/4637
Verbena bracteata, Divide Road, Uncompahgre Plateau, Mesa Co. 4650
Verbena bracteata, Along CR 66 west of Meeker, Rio Blanco Co. 1312
Verbena bracteata, Divide Road, Uncompahgre Plateau, Mesa Co. 4642
Verbena bracteata, Divide Road, Uncompahgre Plateau, Mesa Co. 4649
Verbena bracteata, Divide Road, Uncompahgre Plateau, Mesa Co. 4644
| Scientific Name | Verbena bracteata | USDA PLANTS Symbol | VEBR |
| Common Name | Bigbract Verbena, Prostrate Vervain | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 32085 |
| Family | Verbenaceae (Verbena) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Plains and foothills (3400 to 8000 ft); sandy soils in disturbed areas, roadsides, fields. Plant: Prostrate (usually) annual, biennial, or occasionally perennial; usually several stems spreading from the base, each up to 20 inches long; 4-sided stems with short, bristly hairs. Leaves: Opposite stem leaves on short petioles less than 0.6 inches long; blades are lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate overall, 0.4 to 1.6 inches long, pinnatifid or 3-lobed at the tip (2 narrow lateral lobes, one large central lobe); edges are dentate and the surfaces have short, bristly hairs. Inflorescence: A whorl of small stalkless flowers around the tip of a thick spike at the end of branching stems; flowers 1/8-inch across with 5 light blue to purple to pink petals or lobes and a white throat; 2 upper lobes slightly smaller than the lower 3; narrow lanceolate to linear leaf-like bract, up to 3/4-inch long at the base of each flower; bracts and calyx are densely covered in stiff hairs; the spikes becoming longer, up to 8 inches, with flowers blooming at the tip and fruit forming below. Bloom Period: May to September. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, Minnesota Wildflowers and SEINet |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key | Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains