Viper’s bugloss Echium vulgare
Table of Contents
Plant family: Boraginaceae
Aliases: Adderwort, Blueweed, snake flower, viper’s grass
Flowering period: May – September
Flower colour: blue
Preferred soil type: Light, free draining
Habitat: Chalk grassland, sand dunes, cliffs, banks
Status: Common
General Information
Viper’s bugloss Echium vulgare is a member of the Boraginaceae family, which includes borage, it’s native to the UK, Europe and parts of Asia. It can found in numerous types of habitat, including chalk and grassland, heathland, coastal areas and sand dunes, rocky slopes and waste areas. It prefers to grow on light, free draining sandy soil, especially alkaline sites.
It’s a biennial plant (completes its lifecycle over 2 seasons), the first year it develops a rosette of leaves and the following year it flowers, seeds then dies. It should also be noted that in rare instances and under certain growing conditions, this wildflower can exhibit perennial tendencies and bloom for several years.
It typically grows to around 80cm tall on average, even taller (up to 1.2 metres) where growing conditions are ideal. Each plant can produce up to 2000 seeds, which helps it spread effectively in ideal habitats.
Identification
Flowers: The flowers of viper’s bugloss are borne on upright spikes, they are typically a bright, vivid blue colour, although they can vary and be seen in shades of pink and purple. They have 5 petals and are tubular-bell shaped, ideal for the feeding habits of pollinators, especially bees.
One of the most striking features of the flowers are the protruding stamens, which are a red or pink color. Viper’s bugloss blooms for much of the summer between May and September.
Leaves: The leaves are long and narrow (lanceolate to linear-lanceolate), tapering to a pointed tip. The basal leaves form as rosette can measure up to 30 cm long, while the upper leaves are smaller, shorter, and more sparse. They are covered in stiff, bristly hairs, giving a rough texture to the touch.
Value for wildlife
Viper’s bugloss is an attractive plant for a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, hoverflies and moths, which feed on the rich source of nectar.
Viper’s bugloss gallery
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