​Bracted Vervain, Bigbract Verbena, Carpet Vervain,Verbena bracteate,Verbena Family (Verbenaceae)

Found in sandy, gravelly soils, disturbed areas
Seen blooming in July at Okhay Owingeh Airport

Bracted Vervain has creeping, hairy stems growing to 18 inches long and hairy, lobed leaves. Tiny light blue to purplish flowers grow in whorls at the end of the stems and have stiff, hairy bracts. The five petals are fused at the base forming a slender tube. As the flowers mature the stem elongates up to 6 inches with flowers blooming at the tip and fruits forming below. Traditionally, the Navajo applied a poultice of the plant to centipede bites, and the plant was used in ceremonial chant lotion. Source. The Lakota used an infusion of the root to treat tuberculosis, particularly when it had spread to the lymph nodes.
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