Dakota Mock Vervain, Glandularia bipinnatifida, is a small flowered member of the Verbena family (Verbenaceae). These perennials are native wildflowers found in the plains of the United States. Their lavender flowers can be seen from May through August. The bipinnatifida portion of their scientific name refers to the way their hairy leaves are subdivided in to lobes that resemble bipinnately compound leaves. The leaves are not compound but lobed so they appear so.
Mock in their common name refers to the fact that they are closely related to the true vervains but are genetically different. Their numerous flowers are produced on a spike and are tiny, 5-petaled, lavender flowers which feed a large number of insects and butterflies. They grow between 6 and 12 inches tall and I have usually found this species growing in groups of various sizes. Also, most of the members of this species I have photographed are less than ten inches tall.
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