Family: Boraginaceae Genus: Echium  

Species: Echium plantagineum

Common Name(s): purple viper’s bugloss, narrow-leaved viper’s gloss, plantain-leaved viper’s bugloss; (Spanish) picao blanco

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Echium plantagineum, also known as purple viper’s bugloss, is a stunning flowering plant native to the Mediterranean region that is known for its vibrant, eye-catching flowers that bloom in shades of deep blue, purple, and pink. It is a hardy plant that can withstand a range of growing conditions. It is drought-tolerant and can grow in a variety of soil types, including sandy, loamy, clay, stony or gravelly, and calcareous soils.70

Traditional Medicine

The plant has been used to treat a variety of conditions, including skin rashes, wounds, and respiratory problems. While its medicinal properties have not been extensively studied, it is believed that the plant contains compounds that have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.71

Other Colorful Uses

In some regions, the plant is used as a natural dye. The blue and purple flowers contain pigments that can be used to dye fibers, fabrics, and even food. The plant’s roots and leaves have been used to make a blue-green dye for wool, while the flowers have been used to produce a deep purple dye for silk and other fabrics.72

Ecology

The purple viper’s bugloss is considered an invasive species and can quickly spread and dominate native plant populations. This is particularly true in Australia, where it is known as Paterson’s curse, this name being derived from the belief that the plant was introduced to Australia accidentally by a Scottish immigrant named William Paterson (although no longer believe to be the case, the name persists).73 Nonetheless, this plant can provide positive impacts to the local ecology. Its deep taproot system helps stabilize soil and reduce erosion, supporting slopes, road embankments, and other areas prone to soil loss.

The plant produces nectar-rich flowers that attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other insects and provides important habitat and food resources for pollinating insects. The seeds of purple viper’s bugloss are consumed by certain bird species, such as finches and sparrows, as well as by small mammals. While excessive consumption of the plant by livestock can be harmful due to its toxic compounds, it can provide a food source for wildlife in its native range.74

Notes on Toxicity

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the plant can cause liver damage, respiratory distress, and other adverse effects if ingested or applied to the skin.75