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vervain, also known as simpler's joy or wild hyssop, is a
flowering perennial plant native to the United States and parts
of Canada. The plant's Latin name is Verbena hastata, which
means “sacred herb” and “halberd-shaped,” referring to the shape
of the basal leaves. The herb is a member of the family
Verbenaceae, also known as the Verbena family, which contains
numerous aromatic herbs that produce spikes or clusters of
flowers. Blue vervain is commonly found growing in small
colonies in meadows, fields, marshes, drainage ditches and along
streams or creeks. Each plant can reach up to 4 feet (1.2
meters) in height, and produces long, stalked leaves that are
rough to the touch and tapered toward the tip. The square stem
branches out above the foliage and bears 12 or more flower
stalks per plant in summer through fall. The blue, tubular
flowers are about 1/8 inch (3 millimeters) wide with five small
lobes. Blue vervain flowers are insect-pollinated and ri