Verbena africana (R.Fern. & Verdc.) P.W.Michael APNI* Synonyms: Verbena officinalis subsp. africana R.Fern. & Verdc. APNI* Verbena officinalis var. africana (R.Fern. & Verdc.) Munir APNI*
Description: Herb 0.3–1 m high; branches erect, quadrangular, smooth.
Leaves shortly petiolate or sessile; lower leaves variously acutely serrate, 1- or 2-pinnatifid, 2–7 cm long, 0.5–3 cm wide; upper leaves incised to subentire, smaller than lower leaves, usually ± narrowly ovate; base ± acute; apex acute.
Inflorescence a lax terminal panicle with long branches ending in a spike. Bracts at least reaching top of calyx, with peduncle, bracts and calyx strongly glandular. Calyx 5-toothed, 2.5–3 mm long. Corolla pale pink or lilac, slightly longer than calyx; tube c. 2.5 mm long.
Flowering: Flowers mainly October–January
Distribution and occurrence: Occasional herb, particularly of drier parts of NSW; also Vic, SA and Qld. Growing in Eucalyptus camaldulensis woodland, on floodplain on banks of rivers or seasonal lakes, in clay soils.
NSW subdivisions: NWS, CWS, SWS, NWP, SWP, NFWP, SFWP
Other Australian states: Qld Vic.
B.J. Conn (2004)
Text by B.J. Conn (1999) Taxon concept:
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data ***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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