verbena

[ ver-bee-nuh ]

noun

1. any of various plants of the genus Verbena, especially any of several hybrid species cultivated for their showy flower clusters. Compare verbena family.
2. any of various other plants, as the lemon verbena or sand verbena.

verbena

/ vɜːˈbiːnə /

noun

1. any plant of the verbenaceous genus Verbena, chiefly of tropical and temperate America, having red, white, or purple fragrant flowers: much cultivated as garden plants See also vervain
2. any of various similar or related plants, esp the lemon verbena

Word History and Origins

Origin of verbena¹

1560–70; < Medieval Latin verbēna, Latin: leafy twig; vervain

Word History and Origins

Origin of verbena¹

C16: via Medieval Latin, from Latin: sacred bough used by the priest in religious acts, vervain

Example Sentences

Sand verbena, desert sunflowers and desert primrose recently dazzled onlookers along Henderson Canyon Road in Borrego Springs, an area famed for wildflowers in San Diego County.

From Los Angeles Times

The desert sunflowers, purple sand verbena and white dune evening primrose were spectacular.

From Los Angeles Times

Yes, your dessert may look like a rock-hard citrus in a coupe, but nudge it open and you might find threads of verbena that push you to reconsider what a lemon ought to taste like.

From New York Times

Every inch of the perimeter is covered with plastic and ceramic pots brimming with buckwheat and verbena, dudleya, penstemon and black sage.

From Los Angeles Times

I cut fragrant handfuls of peppermint and lemon verbena from the boxes on my deck and then spread them out to dry.

From New York Times