Beach verbena, Coastal mock vervain
Glandularia maritima
Verbenaceae


Landscape Uses:

Wildflower and rock gardens.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Probably native mostly to open, sunny areas in coastal strand now occupied by Brazilian-pepper (Schinus terebithifolius) and other exotics. A good candidate for augmentation following exotic plant removal. Also rare in pine rocklands and mesic flatwoods in Miami-Dade and Collier counties.
Availability:
Native plant nurseries.
Description:
Small herbaceous wildflower.
Height:
Typically 3-12 inches in height. Spreading and forming small patches broader than tall.
Growth Rate:
Fast.
Range:
Endemic to peninsular Florida from Miami-Dade County north along the east coast to St. Johns County; also in Collier and Hendry counties and reported for the Monroe County Keys by Moldenke (1977).
Habitats:
Pinelands and open coastal uplands.
Soils:
Moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soils, without humus.
Nutritional Requirements:
Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
High; can tolerate moderate amounts of salt wind without significant injury.
Drought Tolerance:
High; does not require any supplemental water once established.
Light Requirements:
Full sun.
Flower Color:
Rose-purple.
Flower Characteristics:
Showy.
Flowering Season:
All year.
Fruit:
Inconspicuous nutlet.
Wildlife and Ecology:
Nectar plant for butterflies.
Horticultural Notes:
Can be grown from cuttings without mist.
Comments:
It is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. Horticultural synonyms: Verbena maritima. See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page.


Roger L. Hammer
George D. Gann
George D. Gann, 2019
In habitat, Big Cypress National Preserve
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George D. Gann, 2019
In habitat, Big Cypress National Preserve
Cara Abbott, 2016.