Brazilian Vervain is of the smaller tube flowers; borne on long spikes which open to full flower at the top of the spike only. The flower spike is rangy in appearance and may be considered an unsightly pest -- but, put a few plants in the butterfly garden and watch what happens -- you'll be pleased you did. It can be snipped and trained to spread onto shorter stems thus creating an attractive bouquet for any decorative garden. Remember, there are no unsightly weeds, just unkempt flowering plants.

Every time I begin a new article or get into a lecture on native plants I want to say, "Now we come to the best part." Actually, that can never be the case because all wild plants are the best part. These tall, hardy plants adjust to any environment whether marsh or roadside; full sun or partial. They always carry a full share of the load in the sculptured flower plot. While the scent of a wildflower may not be the most desirable it always makes up for that little indiscretion as a true eye-catcher. When mixed with a variety of plants any "weed" takes top billing with pollinators. These plants should not be overlooked regardless of its intended use.

Stiff Vervain differs slightly from other family members due to its fairly long and sharply serrated leaf. Being a plant that likes keeping company with tall grasses it is most often overlooked. While it holds no court with standing water it does prefer moist ditches where grass is apt to be tall. An assumption is made that lack of water notwithstanding the Stiff Vervain needs the shade to keep its feet cool. The Latin name implies a wood stem, which certainly is the case. It snaps easily when bent to about a 45 angle. The plant is easily transplanted to any condition so long as its water supply is ample and a little TLC is offered. It spreads rapidly by the root system or by seed but is not considered invasive.

Blue Vervain (not shown, but similar to Brazilian Vervain) can be seen flowering in large colonies along secondary roads where mowing machines are less apt to keep it cut.

Rarely is Lantana mentioned in journals about native plants and I am lost as to the reason. The Smithsonian has described it in an undated article calling it Shrub Verbena. That article also says that the fruit of lantana is poisonous. It may be seen in several color combinations and is widely distributed throughout the Escambia region. Lantana is easily transplanted and is a star attraction in the butterfly garden. It's easily contained if the trailing branches are kept trimmed. Hummingbirds and butterflies have a particular liking for the sweet nectar. When it comes into flower it adds a refreshing splash of color throughout the summer and autumn.

The good folks of the West Indies; Puerto Rico, Antigua and Trinidad treasure the plant, primarily for its myriad of color combinations. Of course, that line through the West Indies was a part of the trade routes with the Gold Coast.

Moss Verbena is an Old World plant - and the name says it all; small, rambling, forming thick mat; a flower that was allowed to escape to the roadsides where it established itself and put down roots. It can be found growing happily around abandoned homesteads just as it did hundreds of years ago; needing no help from humans to find its way. The plant was a valuable possession of the country home and even today is found tucked away in some obscure corner of the flower bed, but its best show is at roadside where it can withstand today's polluted highways.

While the plant may produce violet and white flowers it is not a separate plant. Simply put, any plant that produces purple or blue blossoms will occasionally produce an albino that will eventually breed true on its own. For many years the white variety was considered to be threatened, but when it was understood that a white would be produced under the above stated reason, it was left alone to fend for itself and it has been okay since.

Bouchea is a weedy pest on the roadside; sometimes so greedy as to chase out more attractive plants. Note, if you will, that so little attention has been devoted to the plant it was never given a common name. Though considered a pest, it has not been established that the "weed" was invasive and no effort or mention has been made to eradicate it from the landscape.

Plant is also known as Virgin's Bower.

Bower has long been con-
sidered a domestic in Alabama but continues to be carried as a native plant of roadsides in Florida. The plant came to us from China a few decades ago. It quickly adapted to our climate; spread fast and promptly escaped. While con-
sidered an invasive, if not controlled could become a weedy pest. But, a little clipping of rootstock will take care of that.

Cape Weed is also known as Frog Fruit and Frog Bits. The plant is closely related to Brazilian Verbena, but being one of the smaller carpet-weeds one rarely makes note of it or takes the time to look upon it with any enthusiasm. While it's usually seen as a low plant of about three inches, it is known to reach three to four feet if it needs to raise its head above tall grasses. It has a fondness for growing alongside Marsh Pennywort and Asian Centella.

Carolina Vervain is closely related to Blue Vervain; similar flowers. Aside from that it bears no similarities to other verbena; a species unto itself and generally accepted as being a western wildflower rather than a native of the Coastal Plain. However, the western variety has a red or purple bloom while the Escambia region variety is pale blue or pinkish. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish due to its square stem characteristic; usually associated with the Mint family.