Annual or perennial herb Stem: erect, densely long-haired. Leaves: opposite, stalked, more than 2 cm wide, egg-shaped, toothed. Inflorescence: a cluster of more than three spikes, each spike less than 7 mm across, with white flowers well separated along the spike. Fruit: four nutlets surrounded by the persistent calyx.
Similar species: Verbena x illicita is a hybrid of Verbena stricta and Verbena urticifolia. The attributes of the hybrid are intermediate of the parents. It resembles V. urticifolia in habit, but has larger flowers, denser spikes, wider leaves, and densely hairy stems like V. stricta. See links below for further information on the parents.