Naming
It is also known as simpler's joy or holy herb, or more ambiguously as "mosquito plant" or "wild hyssop". The common name "blue vervain" is also sometimes used, but also refers to ''V. hastata''. And of course, being the only member of its genus in much of its range, it is also simply known as "vervain" locally.The common names of ''V. officinalis'' in many Central and Eastern European languages often associate it with iron, for example:
⤷ ''Echtes Eisenkraut''
⤷ ''IJzerhard''
⤷ ''Læge-Jernurt''
⤷ ''Železník lekársky''
⤷ ''Rohtorautayrtti''
⤷ ''Közönséges vasfű''
Common vervain was scientifically described by Carl Linnaeus his 1753 ''Species Plantarum''. The scientific name references the Ancient Roman term ''verbena'', used for any sacrificial herb considered very powerful . ''Officinalis'', meanwhile, is Latin for "used in medicine or herbalism".
Habitat
This plant prefers limey soils; it is occasionally grown as an ornamental plant but perhaps more often for the powerful properties some herbalists ascribe to it. Propagation is by root cuttings or seed. It is widely naturalised outside its native range, for example in North America.References:
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