verbena

American  

[ver-bee-nuh] / vərˈbi nə /

noun

1. any of various plants of the genus Verbena, especially any of several hybrid species cultivated for their showy flower clusters.

2. any of various other plants, as the lemon verbena or sand verbena.

---

verbena British  

/ vɜːˈbiːnə /

noun

1. any plant of the verbenaceous genus Verbena, chiefly of tropical and temperate America, having red, white, or purple fragrant flowers: much cultivated as garden plants See also vervain

2. any of various similar or related plants, esp the lemon verbena

---

Etymology

Origin of verbena

1560–70; < Medieval Latin verbēna, Latin: leafy twig; see vervain

Example Sentences

Desert gold and brown-eyed primrose are appearing near Ashford Mill, along with sand verbena and fivespot.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

Yonder Cider in Wenatchee, Wash., takes inspiration from cocktails to create ciders such as the Greyhound-like Sunnyslope, with pink grapefruit and lemon verbena.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

The tea features traditional Moroccan lemon verbena, best known for its “alluring floral-lemony scent, flavor, and many health-giving properties, including the support of the immune system and healthy digestion,” per the tea’s description.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2025

Vermont-based Runamok has a serious selection of honeys to play with: Try those infused with hibiscus flower, Arbol chiles or lemon verbena, to name a few.

From Washington Times • Jul. 18, 2023

Living in Faerie, it’s impossible not to notice that everyone else smells like verbena or crushed pine needles, dried blood or milkweed.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black