Echium vulgareViper’s Bugloss Blueweed |
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Names and MythsEchium Greek echis a viper, from fancied resemblance of nutlets to a vipers head. vulgare Common, vulgar Bugloss from Greek bouglossus = ox-tongued and relates to the shape of the leaves.9 |
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Natural history / FolkloreNaturalized from Europe in 1683 has spread rapidly from Virginia reaching Michigan by 1900.9 Irritant hairs may cause dermatitis.9,19 Produces a deep taproot, that does well on gravely or shalely slopes. On these difficult sites it may be come the dominant plant. It spends the first year or two in a vegetative state.39 Protandrous producing from 500 to 2,000 seeds per plant. |
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DescriptionJune - August Bristly, spotted stemmed plant with long narrow stem leaves and prominent flower spikes. Blue flowers with extended bottom lip and protruding red tipped stamens. Roadsides and fields |
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