| Viper's bugloss | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Boraginales |
| Family: | Boraginaceae |
| Genus: | Echium |
| Species: | E. vulgare |
| Binomial name | |
| Echium vulgare | |
Echium vulgare, known asviper's bugloss andblueweed,[1] is a species offlowering plant in theborage familyBoraginaceae. It isnative to most ofEurope and western and centralAsia[2][3] and it occurs as anintroduced species in north-easternNorth America, south-western South America and the South and North Island of New Zealand.[1][4] The plantroot was used in ancient times as a treatment forsnake orviperbites.[5] If eaten, the plant istoxic tohorses andcattle through the accumulation ofpyrrolizidine alkaloids in theliver.[6][7]
It is abiennial ormonocarpicperennial plant growing to 30–80 cm (12–31 in) tall, with rough, hairy,oblanceolateleaves.[8] The stems, which are red-flecked, resemble snake's skin and even the fruits are shaped like adders' heads.[9] The flowers start pink and turn vivid blue, and are 15–20 mm (0.59–0.79 in) in a branched spike, with all thestamens protruding. Thepollen is blue[10] but the filaments of thestamens remain red, contrasting against the blue flowers. It flowers between May and September in theNorthern Hemisphere. The Latin specific epithetvulgare means common.[5]
It is native to Europe and temperate Asia. It has been introduced toChile,[11]New Zealand[12] andNorth America, where it isnaturalised in parts of the continent including northernMichigan,[3] being listed as aninvasive species inWashington.[13] It is found in dry,calcareousgrassland andheaths, bare and waste places, alongrailways and roadsides and oncoastal cliffs,sand dunes andshingle.[14]
E. vulgare is cultivated as an ornamental plant, and numerouscultivars have been developed. The cultivar 'Blue Bedder' has gained theRoyal Horticultural Society'sAward of Garden Merit.[15][16]
