Texas Invasives

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Federal Noxious Weed

TDA Noxious Weed

TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species

Invasive Plant Atlas of the US

NOTE:

means species is on that list.

Verbena brasiliensis

Brazilian vervain

Synonym(s): Brazilian Verbena (Verbena bonariensis)
Family: Verbenaceae (verbena family)
Duration and Habit: Annual Subshrub

Photographer: Ted Bodner
Source: USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Miller, J.H. and K.V. Miller. 2005. Forest plants of the southeast and their wildlife uses. University of Georgia Press, Athens

Description

Verbena brasiliensis is an annual or short-lived perennial herb with erect, quadrangular stems up to 1-2.5 meters in height. Upper branches are 4-9 cm long, opposite, and ascending. Opposite, elliptic leaves are simple and serate, with stiff bristles on the undersides along the major veins. Small blue, pink or purple flowers occur in loose terminal spikes. The flower corolla is bluish-purple and slightly protrudes. All parts of the flowers have hairs. Fruit produces 2 brown nutlets about 1.2-1.9mm long

Native Lookalikes: Currently no information available here yet, or there are no native Texas species that could be confused with Brazilian vervain.

Ecological Threat: It is able to displace native plants and is considered a significant invasive species of the mid-south United States. Now, it is prohibited on National Forest System Lands of the United States.

Biology & Spread: Verbena brasiliensis reproduces sexually by the production of seeds.

History: Verbena brasiliensis is used as an ornamental and is cultivated for garden use.

U.S. Habitat: It can be found in both wetland areas and drier sites such as fields, range/grasslands, roadsides and other disturbed areas.

Distribution

U.S. Nativity: Introduced to U.S.

Native Origin: South America

U.S. Present: AL, AR, CA, FL, GA, HI, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, OK, OR, SC, TN, TX, VA

Distribution in Texas: Reported throughout central, east and north Texas.

Mapping

Invaders of Texas Map: Verbena brasiliensis
EDDMapS: Verbena brasiliensis
USDA Plants Texas County Map: Verbena brasiliensis

Invaders of Texas Observations

List All Observations of Verbena brasiliensis reported by Citizen Scientists

OBS# 16170

OBS# 15581

OBS# 15627

Native Alternatives

Management

Preventative: In an effort to manage the species, Verbena brasiliensis should not be planted or sold as an ornamental.

Mechanical: Pulling them out by their base often gets the plant and the majority of the roots out. Cutting off the inflorescences before they go to seed can help slow its spread

Chemical: Herbicide may be used as a managment tool, but the herbicides sulfometuron and hexazinone are not effective on this species.

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.

Text References

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG). 2008. Verbena brasiliensis (herb). Accessed 25 November 2008: http://www.invasivespecies.net/database/species/ecology.asp?si=1213&fr=1&sts=.

Online Resources

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/verbena-brasiliensis/common-name/brazilian-vervain/

https://uh-ir.tdl.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/077dc832-6641-4a39-86c9-7f4ca7380419/content