Fauna
Plant

Brazilian Vervain

Verbena brasiliensis

Also known as Brazilian Verbena

Brazilian vervain grows as a tall, upright herb with distinctly square, erect stems and tiny clusters of purple-violet flowers perched at the tips of slender branches. Native to South America, it colonizes roadsides, pastures, and disturbed fields where its profuse seed production allows it to spread aggressively. The small blossoms produce abundant nectar that attracts a diverse group of butterflies, skippers, and bees throughout the warm months.

InvasiveWildflowerPollinator Magnet
Brazilian Vervain reference1 / 7
(c) Rich Sommer, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Rich Sommer · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Herbivorous insects
  • Grazing livestock
  • Leaf-mining caterpillars
ThreatsHerbicides, competitive native plants, land management practices
HabitatsDisturbed ground, roadsides, pastures, fields, riparian edges
Life span1 year (Annual or short-lived perennial)
Classification
  1. OrderLamiales
  2. FamilyVerbenaceae
  3. GenusVerbena
  4. SpeciesVerbena brasiliensis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Observe pollinators: Watch the terminal floral clusters on sunny days to view visiting butterflies and bees.
  • Examine the stems: Feel the distinctly four-sided, square stem characteristic of many members of this family.
  • Prevent garden escape: Avoid moving mature seed heads to keep plants from invading nearby natural areas.
Related species
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