Taxonomy and Systematics
Its specific epithet refers to Buenos Aires.
Verbena bonariensis is a member of the South American vervains, which are polyploid and have more than 14 chromosomes. Among these, it is part of a lineage which might also include Verbena intermedia and seems well distant from Verbena litoralis or Verbena montevidensis for example.
Sometimes, the name Verbena brasiliensis, Brazilian verbena or Brazilian vervain, is found for this species. However, this is the result of a mix-up with V. brasiliensis, the "true" Brazilian verbena, which has been erroneously referred to as V. bonariaensis by several botanists.
- Subspecies
There are two named subspecies:
- Verbena bonariensis subsp. bonariensis
- Verbena bonariensis subsp. conglomerata
Read more about this topic: Verbena Bonariensis