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verbena Definition

ver·bena (vər bē′nə)

noun

any of a genus (Verbena) of plants of the verbena family, with spikes or clusters of showy red, white, or purplish flowers, widely grown for ornament

Etymology: ModL < L, foliage, branches, vervain < IE *werb-, to turn, bend < base *wer- > worm

adjective

designating a family (Verbenaceae, order Lamiales) of mostly tropical, American, dicotyledonous plants, shrubs, and trees, including vervain, lantana, and teak

verbena Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • lemon: Yogi Tea Green Jasmine A delicate blend of Green Jasmine and ginger, lemon grass and lemon verbena.
  • purple: It had taken up station on a bright purple verbena that grows next to our greenhouse, so was visible some distance away.

Modifies a noun

  • bonariensis: Verbena bonariensis I love this stylish, semi-evergreen perennial has been enjoying a resurgence of interest in recent years.
  • oil: The leaves of Lippia citriodora yield an aromatic oil used in perfumery under the name verbena oil.