Echium vulgare

• Attributes:

  Genus:

  Echium

  Species:

  vulgare

  Family:

  Boraginaceae

  Life Cycle:

  Biennial

  Country Or Region Of Origin:

  Europe

• Whole Plant Traits:

  Plant Type:

  Poisonous

  Wildflower

• Flowers:

  Flower Color:

  Blue

  Pink

  Red/Burgundy

  Flower Value To Gardener:

  Showy

  Flower Bloom Time:

  Fall

  Summer

  Flower Shape:

  Tubular

  Flower Petals:

  4-5 petals/rays

  Flower Description:

  Numerous buds in a tight coil; one-sided cluster on lateral branches; tubular 5-parted blue flowers; opens from base to the tip; upper lip exceeds the lower; long red stamens; petals turn pink with age

• Leaves:

  Leaf Color:

  Green

  Leaf Feel:

  Hairy

  Leaf Type:

  Simple

  Leaf Arrangement:

  Alternate

  Leaf Shape:

  Lanceolate

  Oblong

  Hairs Present:

  Yes

  Leaf Length:

  3-6 inches

  Leaf Description:

  Coarsely hairy, simple, alternate, oblong to lanceolate leaves. 2-6 in. long. Upper leaves are smaller and stalkless.

• Stem:

  Stem Color:

  Green

  Stem Is Aromatic:

  No

  Stem Surface:

  Hairy (pubescent)

  Stem Description:

  Bristly, hairy stems

• Landscape:

  Landscape Location:

  Naturalized Area

  Attracts:

  Butterflies

  Problems:

  Contact Dermatitis

  Poisonous

  Weedy

• Poison:

  Poison Severity:

  Medium

  Poison Symptoms:

  CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. CAUSES SEVERE PAIN IN THE MOUTH IF EATEN! Digestive upset and liver damage as well as skin irritation from the coarse hairs.

  Poison Toxic Principle:

  Pyrrolizidine alkaloids

  Causes Contact Dermatitis:

  Yes

  Poison Part:

  Bark

  Flowers

  Fruits

  Leaves

  Roots

  Sap/Juice

  Seeds

  Stems