Verbenaceae

Non-woody (herbaceous), often tall, annuals or perennials with branching, somewhat hairy, square stems and an affinity for shores, floodplains and other wetlands. Leaves stalked, opposite, simple, sometimes with 1 or 2 small lobes at the base of the blade; leaf edges with teeth; stipules none.

Flowers small, loosely to densely arranged in long spikes at the top of the stem and the ends of branches. Each flower producing both pollen and seeds; very close examination reveals bilateral symmetry. Sepals 5, fused at base to form a tube with 5 angles in cross section, and 5 unequal lobes or teeth at the top, persistent and scarcely changing in fruit. Petals 5, fused at base to form a narrow tube or funnel, with separate blunt lobes at the top. Stamens 4, in pairs inside the petal tube. Ovary shallowly 4-lobed, located above point of attachment of other flower parts (superior); style 1, with 2 lobes, only 1 of which is a functional stigma. Fruit 4 nutlets, funnel or tubular-shaped.