See also Viper's Bugloss (moth) for the insect.

Viper's Bugloss
Viper's Bugloss in flower
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Boraginales Family: Boraginaceae Genus: Echium Species: E. vulgare
Binomial name
Echium vulgare L.

Echium vulgare (Viper's Bugloss) is a species of Echium native to most of Europe, and western and central Asia.^[1][2]

Viper's Bugloss being pollinated by skipper butterflies.

It is a biennial or monocarpic perennial plant growing to 30-80 cm tall, with rough, hairy, lanceolate leaves. The flowers start pink and turn vivid blue and are 15-20 mm in a branched spike, with all the stamens protruding. Stamens remain red and stand out against the blue flowers. It flowers between May and September. It is found in dry, bare and waste places.^[3]

It has been introduced to North America and is naturalised in parts of the continent, being listed as an invasive species in Washington.^[2]

See also

• Monofloral honey
• Northern Nectar Sources for Honeybees

References

1. Flora Europaea: Echium vulgare
2. ^{a b} Germplasm Resources Information Network: Echium vulgare
3. Fitter, R. & A. (1974). The Wild Flowers of Britain and Northern Europe. Collins.

• Blanchan, Neltje (2005). Wild Flowers Worth Knowing.. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. 

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; from the article "Echium vulgare". Image Credit.

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