Taxonomic history:
1753: Linnaeus described this species as Verbena jamaicensis in Species Plantarum, 1st ed., p. 19.
today: The current name for this species is Stachytarpheta jamaicensis L.
original Latin diagnosis
Verbena diandra, spicis longissimis carnosis subnudis.
English translation
Verbena two-stamened, with spikes very long, fleshy, and nearly naked.
| 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 |
| very long, | longissimis - ablative plural femine of superlative degree of group A adjective longus, -a, -um; modifies spicis |
| fleshy, | carnosis - ablative plural feminine of group A adjective carnosus, -a, -um; modifies spicis |
| [and] | [added for smoother reading] |
| nearly naked [i.e., barely foliose]. | subnudis - ablative plural feminine of group A adjective subnudus, -a, -um; modifies spicis |