The Plant w/Flowers
The Flowers
Distribution
"USA: AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , GA , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NE , NM , OK , SD , TN , TX WI , WY
Native Distribution: South Dakota south through Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas through Mexico to Nicaragua, east through Arkansas and Louisiana to Alabama
Native Habitat: Common in open grassy areas. Widespread throughout most of the state of Texas. Well-drained sand, loam, clay, caliche, limestone." (Wildflower.org)
Description
"The bilaterally symmetric, pale purple/pink flowers of glandularia bipinnatifida have five lobes arranged around a whitish center, resembling some phlox species, but occur as a rounded cluster at the top of quite a tall stalk, up to 18 inches high, though in some areas the plant stays rather closer to the ground. The tip of each lobe has a notch in the center; underneath are five sepals. Leaves and stalk are covered by relatively prominent, whitish hairs, as are the reddish bracts that subtend the flower cluster. Flowers have a long season, as the plant produces new blooms continuously during spring and summer." (American Southwest.net)
Ethnobotanical Uses
Medicine:
"Keres, Western Snakebite Remedy Leaves crushed with rocks and rubbed on snakebites Throat Aid Infusion of leaves used as a gargle for sore throat."(Moerman 248)
"Vervain is broadly active medically, serving as a sedative, diaphoretic, diuretic, bitter tonic and antispasmodic. It is one of the best palliatives for the onset of a virus cold, particularly with upper respiratory inflammation. It will promote sweating, relax and soothe, allay feverishness, settle the stomach, overall producing a feeling of relaxed well-being. --- The tea is an effective sedative for insomnia and, like Hops, will settle a nervous stomach. In treating sprains and deep bruises, the tea will aid in reabsorption of blood from the ruptured tissues, two or three cups a day for at least three or four days.---" (Moore 160)
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