Viper's Bugloss Echium
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Viper's Bugloss:
- Phonetic Spelling
- EK-ee-um
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Echium is a genus of about 70 plants that are native to Europe, N. Africa and Central Asia and are in the Boraginaceae (or Forget-me-not) family. These plants have naturalized in areas as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and parts of South America and the United States. In some counties, they have become invasive.
Echiums can be perennial, evergreen or semi-evergreen. They can be shrubs to short-lived perennials that die after flowering. Two years of growth must be completed before flowering will take place. Although some varieties will die after flowering, they will provide enough seed for the next year.
Most types have deep tap roots to survive drought, narrow thick hairy leaves and tall showy spikes of blue, purple, pink, red or white tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and bees.
These plants prefer well-drained soils in full sun. They are drought and deer tolerant and most survive on neglect. If you live in a cold winter climate, some types can be grown in a pot and brought indoors for winter.
Pruning is not necessary, however, a trim in the fall as well as the removal of the old flower spikes will give you a neater appearance while preventing the plant from becoming straggly.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Shelter from strong winds is advisable.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- E. vulgare
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- E. vulgare
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Echium
- Family:
- Boraginaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The oil from the plants is used in cosmetics and herbal medicine.
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Macaronesia, Europe to Central Asia, N. Africa
- Distribution:
- Naturalized in US
- Wildlife Value:
- Host plant to some Lepidoptera species including Coleophora onosmella and orange swift. Hummingbirds are attracted to the tubular flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Edibility:
- Some species are used as food by preparing tender shoots and stems.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Schizocarp
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Schizocarps dividing into mostly 4 nutlets
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Many 5 petaled tubular flowers are produced on tall spikes. They can be blue, pink, red, white or purple and vary in size. Bloom time can be spring or summer depending on the species.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Coarsely hairy, alternate, simple bristly, lance-shaped to elliptical leaves that vary in size. Some produce a rosette of leaves the first year and then a stem the second or third year.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Green stems that may have purple spotting and many hairs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- 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
