Verbena officinalis

Βερβένα η φαρμακευτική

Etymology of Verbena officinalis: The scientific name, as described e.g. by Pliny the Elder, references the Ancient Roman term "verbena", means "leafy branch/twig from aromatic trees/shrubs used for religious/medicinal purposes". Latin "officinalis" means that "(the herb is) officially used as a medicinal plant".

Two Verbena species/kinds exist in the wild Cypriot habitat.

Verbena officinalis exists all around the island of Cyprus up to an altitude of 1375 metres. Despite that, it is not a common plant, it is relatively rare and I have encountered it in Saittas area (Moniatis village, Limassol district) and Kalopanagiotis village (Nicosia district). It primarily grows in waste ground, roadsides, and near water. Its flowering period is usually between June and December.