Photographs: Inchigeelagh, Co. Cork

Vervain Verbena officinalis Beirbhéine Family: Verbenaceae Flowering time: June-October. Perennial. Introduced. Slender, leafless spikes of small pinkish-white flowers with 5 lobes. Opposite oblong leaves without stipules, the lower leaves stalked and pinate, the upper leaves smaller, entire and stalkless. A slender, slightly hairy plant with square, erect stems, branched near top. 30-60 cm. Prefers bare, well-drained calcareous ground on rough grassland, waste ground and roadsides. Scattered distribution in the south of Ireland, rare in the north

Vervain, Verbena officinalis, Beirbhéine