Verbena
/vɜːrˈbiːnə/noun
A plant of the genus Verbena, or any of several related aromatic plants used ornamentally and in herbal traditions.
Did you know?In Latin, verbena referred to sacred branches or herbs used by priests and ambassadors in religious rites, so the word’s history is tied to ceremony, purification, and power.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
verbēna
“a sacred branch, bough, or herb used in religious rites”
Classical Latin
Latin
verbēnae
“sacred herbs or plants, especially those used in ritual purification”
Middle French
Old French
verveine
“the verbena plant”
14th Century
English
verben
“verbena; a sacred herb”
Modern English
English
verbena
“a plant of the genus Verbena, especially garden verbena”