Echium plantagineum
Common names
Paterson’s curse
Biostatus
Exotic
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Flower colours
Blue, Violet/Purple
Detailed description
Hispid annual or biennial herb to c. 90 cm high. Basal leaves to c. 15 x 3.5 cm, linear-lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate; base attenuate and petiolate; apex obtuse; upper cauline leaves smaller, sessile, lanceolate to oblong, more or less cordate at base. Inflorescence with 1-several branches; branches becoming spike-like or panniculate. Calyx 9-12 mm long; lobes linear-lanceolate, much < corolla tube. Carolla 20-30 mm long, funnelform, reddish in bud, becoming purplish blue or blue; upper lobes > lower; 2 stamens long-exserted, others included; filiaments deep pink; anthers blue. Nutlets 2-3 mm long, angular. (Webb et al 1988).
Similar taxa
Can be distinguished from E. vulgare by 2 stamens long-exserted, and the upper cauline leaves are more or less cordate at the base. E. Vulgare has 4 stamens long-exserted, and the upper cauline leaves are rounded at the base.
Habitat
Terrestrial.
Conservation status
Not applicable
Detailed taxonomy
Family
Ecology
Flowering
(September) December, January, February (May)
Year naturalised
1880
Origin
Northern Mediterranean to South England
Reason for introduction
Ornamental
Tolerances
Restricted to warmer areas.
Life cycle and dispersal
Annual or Biennial.
Other information
Etymology
echium: Possibly named the Greek echis ‘viper’, named for the seeds’ resemblance to a vipers’ head. The plant was believed by the 1st century physician Dioscoridesbe to be a remedy for a viper’s bite.