| Verbena macdougalii | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Verbenaceae |
| Genus: | Verbena |
| Species: | V. macdougalii |
| Binomial name | |
| Verbena macdougalii | |
Verbena macdougalii is a species of verbena known by several common names, including MacDougal verbena, [1] New Mexico vervain, hillside verbena, [2] and spike verbena. [3] It is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the verbena family (Verbenaceae). [2] [4] V. macdougalii is the most common tall verbena in New Mexico, where it can be found in mountainous regions across the state. [3] It also occurs in Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and west Texas. [1]
Verbena macdougalii grows at elevations of 5,900 to 9,000 feet in open flats, valleys, and in disturbed areas such as roadsides. [3] [4] It produces three or more [3] tall, thick spikes, each with a ring of small, blue or purple flowers, and can reach about 3 feet in height. [4] Its stems are four-sided and very hairy. [2] It can be distinguished from the similar species Verbena hastata by the fact that V. macdougalii has thicker spikes and that the hair on its stems is spreading. [5]