Taxonomic history:
1753: Linnaeus described this species as Verbena prismatica in Species Plantarum, 1st ed., p. 19.
today: The current name for this species is Bouchea prismatica (L.) Kuntze
original Latin diagnosis
Verbena diandra, spicis laxis, calycibus alternis prismaticis truncatis aristatis, foliis ovatis obtusis.
English translation
Verbena two-stamened, with spikes open; with calyces alternate, having several longitudinal angles, truncata, [and] awned; with leaf blades ovate [and] obtuse.
| Verbena | Verbena |
| two-stamened, | diandra - nominative singular feminine of group A adjective diandrus, -a, -um; modifies Verbena |
| with spikes | spicis - ablative plural of first declension feminine noun spica, -ae |
| open; | laxis - ablative plural feminine of group A adjective laxus, -a, -um; modifies spicis |
| with calyces | calycibus - ablative plural of third declension masculine noun calyx, calycis |
| alternate | alternis - ablative plural masculine of group A adjective alternus, -a, -um; modifies calycibus |
| with longitudinal angles, | prismaticis - ablative plural masculine of group A adjective prismaticus, -a, -um; modifies calycibus |
| truncate, | truncatis - ablative plural masculine of group A adjective truncatus, -a, -um; modifies calycibus |
| [and] | [added for smoother reading] |
| awned; | aristatis - ablative plural masculine of group A adjective aristatus, -a, -um; modifies calycibus |
| with leaf blades | foliis - ablative plural of second declension neuter noun folium, -i |
| ovate | ovatis - ablative plural neuter of group A adjective ovatus, -a, -um; modifies foliis |
| [and] | [added for smoother reading] |
| obtuse. | obtusis - ablative plural neuter of group A adjective obtusus, -a, -um; modifies foliis |