Verbena hybrida

Verbena species are prostate or decumbent herbs. Leaves decussate opposite, sessile, incised, dissected, pinnatifid or rarely entire. Inflorescence axillary, terminal spicate, pseudoumbellate or paniculate, pedunculate or sessile. Flowers sessile, zygomorphic, bracteate, Calyx, 5 toothed, 5 ribbed, Corolla hypocrateriform, 5 lobed. Stamens 4, didynamous, anthers ovoid, Ovary superior, 4 lobed, 4 loculed, 1 ovule in each locule, Style short, Stigma 2 lobed. Fruit schizocarp, enclosed by persistant calyx.

Ver species flowers are bisexual, i.e., with functional male (androecium) and female (gynoecium), including stamens, carpels and ovary. Pollination is entomophilous i.e., by insects. Flowering/Fruiting: May-October.

Seeds dispersed by anemochory i.e., wind dispersal, zoochory i.e., dispersal by birds and animals, anthropochory i.e., dispersal by humans.

A decumbent herb about 1-2 ft tall. Stem and branches 4 angular, pubescent. Leaves decussate opposite, sessile, incised, dissected, ovate to ovate-oblong, 4-12 x 2-7 cm across, base acute, margin pinnatifid, apex acute to acuminate, lateral veins 3-6 on either side of the midrib. Inflorescence terminal dome shaped cyme, pedunculate, bracts lanceolate. Flowers sessile, zygomophic, Calyx tubular 5 toothed, pubescent, hairy, Corolla hypocrateriform, 5 lobed, pink, orange, purple, blue, yellow, red, bicolor, lobes unequal suborbicular emarginated, Corolla tube narrow, curved, cylindric, glandular pubescent, Stamens 4 didynamous, filaments about 4 mm long, anther ovoid, basifixed, Ovary oblong, 4 lobed, with 1 locule per lobe, style stout, glabrous, stigma subcapitate. Fruit schizocarp oblong, splitting into 4 cylindric cocci, enclosed by persistent calyx.

Susceptible to insect pests and fungal infections.

Notes: Western Ghats, High Altitude, Native of Tropical America

Moist ground, marshes

Cultivated in gardens.

Used as ornamental.