Echium vulgare

Echium vulgare, known as viper's bugloss and blueweed, is a species of flowering plant in the borage family Boraginaceae. It is native to most of Europe and western and central Asia and it occurs as an introduced species in north-eastern North America, south-western South America and the South and North Island of New Zealand. If eaten, the plant is toxic to horses and cattle through the accumulation of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the liver. The plant root was used in ancient times as a treatment for snake or viper bites. According to the Doctrine of signatures, plants were thought to have traits (in this case a speckled stem reminiscent of snake skin, and flowers like an open viper's mouth) that mirror the ailment they treat.

Description

Echium vulgare (viper's bugloss) is a biennial or perennial reaching 0.9 m tall with a 0.6 m spread. Spiky flower spires bloom July to October with seed ripening August through October. The self-fertile hermaphrodite plant attracts bees, flies, moths, and butterflies. It requires full sun and tolerates light, medium, or heavy soils with good drainage and poor soil fertility. Adaptable across acidic to alkaline pH ranges, it handles dry or moist conditions and tolerates coastal exposure.

Edible Uses

Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked and work well as a spinach substitute. They are mild and mucilaginous in flavour. Though somewhat hairy, when chopped finely they make an acceptable addition to a mixed salad. Eating the leaves is said to stimulate sexual desire. Use with caution, as there is an unconfirmed report of toxicity.

Traditional Uses

The blue flowers are crystallised and added to salads. They are also sucked for their nectar. It also yields an attractive honey. It should only be eaten in small amounts due to alkaloids. The leaves are cooked and eaten like spinach. The leaves should be finely chopped. They are used in soups. The leaves have been added to cool drinks.

Medicinal Uses

Viper's bugloss was once considered both a preventative and remedy for viper bites. It is related to borage (Borago officinalis) and shares many of its properties, particularly its sweat-inducing and diuretic effects. In recent times it has fallen out of use, partly due to limited interest in its medicinal potential and partly due to its content of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are toxic in isolation. The leaves and flowering stems are antitussive, aphrodisiac, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, pectoral, and vulnerary. An infusion of the plant is taken internally as a diuretic and to treat fevers, headaches, chest conditions, and similar complaints. The juice is an effective emollient for reddened or delicate skin, and can be applied as a poultice or plaster to treat boils and carbuncles. Leaves are harvested in summer and can be dried for later use. The roots contain allantoin, a known healing compound. The plant is also said to be effective against snake bites. Fresh flowering heads, chopped finely, can be made into a poultice for treating whitlows and boils.

Known Hazards

The leaves are poisonous. No cases of poisoning have ever been recorded for this plant. The bristly hairs on the leaves and stems can cause severe dermatitis.

Where It Grows

Leaves, Flowers - nectar, Caution, Flowers - tea,

Cultivation

Succeeds in any good garden soil but flowers best when the soil is not too rich. Requires a sunny position. The plant is very deep rooted. A good bee plant.

Propagation

Sow seed in situ from February to May or from August to November. Germination usually takes place within 2–3 weeks at 15°C. If seed is scarce, it can be sown in pots in a cold frame. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and plant out during summer.

Other Uses

A red dye is obtained from the root. The plant attracts wildlife.

Other Information

Boraginaceae

Notes

A herb which grows over two years. It reaches to 45-60 cm tall and spreads to 45-60 cm wide. It is rough and hairy. It can have one or several stems. The flowers are 10-19 mm long. Four of the five stamens are longer than the remaining one. The flowers are violet. They are on branching spikes. The flowers are 18 mm across. The fruit are 4 nutlets.

Also Known As

Aguamieles, Blueweed, Bovina, Chupamiel, Edesfu, Honey plant, Lan ji, Lenguaza, Melera, Navadni gadovec, Viperena azzurra

References (27)

• Al-Sodany, Y. M., et al, 2013, Medicinal Plants in Saudi Arabia: I. Sarrwat Mountains at Taif, KSA. Academic Journal of Plant Sciences 6 (4): 134-145
• Biscotti, N. et al, 2018, The traditional food use of wild vegetables in Apulia (Italy) in the light of Italian ethnobotanical literature. Italian Botanist 5:1-24
• Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 190
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 375
• Bremness, L., 1994, Herbs. Collins Eyewitness Handbooks. Harper Collins. p 248

More from Boraginaceae

Symphytum grandiflorum

Symphytum officinale

Common Comfrey, Knit-bones

Symphytum sylvaticum

Symphytum tuberosum

Tuberous comfrey

Symphytum uplandicum

Comfrey

Symphytum x uplandicum

Comfrey, Russian Comfrey