Verbena bonariensis
Purple top vervain
Family: Verbenaceae · Type: Subshrub · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Verbena bonariensis (Purple top vervain) is a non-native California subshrub in the Verbenaceae family, recognized by tall stature, clasping cordate leaves, and multiple spikes per cluster.
Purple top vervain is a naturalized annual found in southern Sacramento Valley, northern San Joaquin Valley, and northern San Francisco Bay in disturbed, often wet places at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces white to purple flowers in dense spikes clustered with 8 to 17 individual spikes. Growing up to 1.5 meters tall with erect, smooth to slightly rough stems, it develops a robust and upright structure. Its leaves are elliptic to lanceolate, 7 to 15 centimeters long, with coarsely serrated edges and a base that is cordate to truncate. The flowers are small, approximately 5 to 6 millimeters long, with bracts 3 to 3.5 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; key features are tall stature, clasping cordate leaves, and multiple spikes per cluster
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed, often wet places, fields
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, Marin, Sacramento, Merced, Placer, Glenn, Monterey, Yuba, Butte, Tehama, Contra Costa, Trinity, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, San Joaquin, Yolo
Outside California: to southern United States, native to South America
Bloom period
Verbena bonariensis blooms Jun-Oct.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Glandularia: Verbena has nearly regular flowers; Glandularia has more obviously lobed flowers (often treated as same genus).; vs Phacelia: Verbena has tubular flowers with 5-toothed calyx; Phacelia has bowl-shaped flowers with coiled inflorescence.; vs Salvia: Verbena has nearly regular flowers; Salvia has distinctly two-lipped flowers with mint-family square stems.; vs Limonium: Verbena has tubular flowers producing nutlets; Limonium has papery flowers producing capsules.; vs Lavandula: Verbena has nearly regular small flowers; Lavandula has dense spikes of purple flowers with aromatic foliage.
Frequently asked questions
Is Verbena bonariensis native to California?
No. Verbena bonariensis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Verbena bonariensis bloom?
Verbena bonariensis blooms Jun-Oct.
Where in California does Verbena bonariensis grow?
Verbena bonariensis occurs in Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, Marin, Sacramento, Merced, Placer, Glenn, Monterey and other counties, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Verbena bonariensis belong to?
Verbena bonariensis is in the Verbenaceae family, genus Verbena.
Is Verbena bonariensis invasive in California?
Verbena bonariensis is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.