save the endangered tampa mock vervain!

It’s certainly not every city that can boast a wildflower named for it, but Tampa has one. The Tampa Mock Vervain is an endangered native wildflower, endemic to just a few coastal counties in central Florida.  This low-growing perennial has small purple flowers beloved by butterflies, and does well in heat and drought conditions.

How does a wildflower become endangered? Like so many native species in Florida, Tampa Mock Vervain is threatened by development. In the wild, it prefers open woodlands near the coast – just like developers do. This wildflower was already pretty rare – mock vervains themselves are endemic to the Americas, and the Tampa mock vervain is found in a very limited range. Once development began to destroy its limited natural habitat, it didn’t have much of a chance in the wild.

The great thing is that this plant is very easy to grow, and also readily available at  local nurseries. Note: The common name and even the scientific name may vary (see below).

The Facts:

• Scientific Name: Glandularia tampensis (Nash) Small or Verbena tampensis Nash
• Common Name: Tampa Vervain, Tampa Mock Vervain, Tampa Verbena
• Status: Endangered, with only 24 known populations in the wild
• Light: Full sun to part shade, although it grows best in partial shade
• Water: Very drought-tolerant once established, but blooms best with regular moisture

One big no-no: Never collect these plants if you spot them in the wild. They are protected and should be left where they are to preserve the ecosystem. Instead, purchase nursery-grown specimens to plant in your own gardens.

Florida’s ecosystem has been changed forever by development, but you can restore some of the native health and beauty by taking simple steps. Add Tampa Mock Vervain to your gardens to help bring “Old Florida” back to life!