For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Fine Leaved Verbena (Verbena aristigera)

Family Verbenaceae
This is a popular ground cover in gardens.

It is native to South America but has become naturalized throughout the region.

There are about 200 species of Verbena and most are found in tropical or sub-tropical regions.

Many of the species are used in traditional medicine and I remember as a child we used to pluck the flowers off and suck out the sweet nectar. J