vervain

American  

[vur-veyn] / ˈvɜr veɪn /

noun

1. any plant belonging to the genus Verbena, of the verbena family, having elongated or flattened spikes of stalkless flowers.

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vervain British  

/ ˈvɜːveɪn /

noun

1. any of several verbenaceous plants of the genus Verbena, having square stems and long slender spikes of purple, blue, or white flowers

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Etymology

Origin of vervain

1350–1400; Middle English vervaine < Anglo-French, Middle French verveine < Latin verbēna leafy twig, holy bough carried by priests

Example Sentences

On sunny days, they dined on strands of purpletop vervain, an annual plant that magically returned in other parts of the garden this year, its seeds carried by the wind.

From Washington Post

Butterflies are important pollinators of native plants and for many plant species and genera—for example, flame azaleas and mock vervains—butterflies are the only, or almost only, pollinators.

From Scientific American

Sometimes she would ask me to stand next to her and watch, so I could say, “You already added the lobelia. Next is the blue vervain.”

From Literature

The old woman poured steaming water from the kettle over a few pinches of blue vervain and chamomile, then put the mug of herbal tea into Claire’s hands.

From Literature

Now this Verbena hastata, or blue vervain, leaned against my shoulder, dangling long tassels of seeds that the juncos love to eat.

From New York Times