Hoary Vervain

Verbena stricta

Pollinator Value

🐛 Larval Host: Crambodes talidiformis, Catabena lineolata, Papaipema nepheleptena, Phosphila miselioides, Autographa precationis, Megalographa biloba, Junonia coenia, Spilosoma virginica
S13+S15 8 verified Eastern NA
🐝 Specialist Bee Host: Calliopsis nebraskensis
S17 Calliopsis (Verbenapis) nebraskensis, specialist on Verbena; S68 4 records on Verbena stricta
❄️ Winter Food Source: Persistent seed spikes provide winter forage for granivorous birds including Mourning Dove (33% diet occurrence), Northern Bobwhite (28.5%), and California Quail (3.6%), as well as Lapland Longspur and Snow Bunting. Small mammals also consume seeds. Seeds are a staple for many drier prairie wildlife communities.
S57 9 bird species; S4 seeds consumed by small mammals and prairie-chickens

Proximity Score: 3a
Native Status: ✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON
Closest Direction: W
CEC Eco-Regions: 8 – Eastern Temperate Forests, 8.1 – Mixed Wood Plains, 8.1.5 – Driftless Area
Rarity Notes: Imperiled (S2) in Quebec with 17 herbarium specimens spanning 1924-2021, mostly concentrated near Oka and the Ottawa River corridor. Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. Apparently Secure (S4) in Ontario. Global rank G5. Quebec populations may represent the northeastern fringe of its native prairie range.
S22 S2 QC, G5; S26 not SARA listed; S54 17 QC specimens 1924-2021
Rarity Ranks: QC S2 – Imperiled, ON S4 – Apparently Secure
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: A prairie and field species of dry, open habitats. In the Ottawa-Gatineau region it occurs at the eastern edge of its core range, found in alvars, dry sandy roadsides, and open calcareous meadows. Ranked S2 (Imperiled) in Quebec, where populations are concentrated near Oka and the Ottawa Valley on sandy or limestone substrates. More frequent across Ontario (S4) in dry prairies and disturbed open ground.
S22 S4 ON, S2 QC; S7 sandy fields, dry disturbed ground; S54 QC specimens at Oka, Grand Remous; S62 7 Ottawa sites

Roles: Fortress/Barrier, Insectary Plant, Pollinator Attractor
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)] | Insectary Plant: S64 NPPBI 'beneficial insects' flag] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [HIGH]: S64 Xerces listed (source-classified)]
Notes: Valuable pollinator attractor for dry prairie and meadow guilds. Attracts bumble bees, specialist bees (Calliopsis nebraskensis), and beneficial insects. Important nectar source for butterflies including the Common Buckeye, which uses it as a larval host. Pairs well with other dry prairie forbs and grasses in low-competition meadow plantings.
S64 NPPBI beneficial insects, bumble bee, specialist bee; S4 attracts butterflies

Category: Febrifuge, Stomachic, Gastrointestinal Aid
S29 Febrifuge, Stomachic; S28 Gastrointestinal Aid (Dakota Drug)
Notes: Dakota people used an infusion of leaves for stomachaches. The plant was considered specific for fever and ague in traditional use. Medicinal rating is low (1 of 5).
S28 Dakota Drug, Gastrointestinal Aid; S29 febrifuge, fever and ague; medicinal rating 1/5

✅ Edible

Foraging Notes: Omaha people used the leaves to make a hot, aqueous, tea-like beverage. Edibility rating is low (1 of 5).
S28 Omaha Food, Beverage; S29 edibility rating 1/5