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Summary
Echium plantagineum is a Annual/Biennial up to 0.60 metres tall. It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.
Physical Characteristics
Echium plantagineum is an evergreen Annual/Biennial growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Homotypic Synonyms: E. creticum subsp. plantagineum (L.) Malag.
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
There has been an increase in interest in several Echium species, especially Echium plantagineum, because of the fatty acid composition of the seed oil[289]. Like borage and evening primrose oil, it contains significant amounts of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), but it also contains the rarer stearidonic acid (SDA), which is also an important intermediate in the production of several important compounds in the body[289]. Both acids are made by the same enzyme, and their effects are complimentary, so the oil is potentially valuable as a health food and cosmetic component[289].The seed oil from Echium contains a unique ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids[289]. These lipids, previously obtained from other plant sources, have been used for many years in food supplements[289]. Of potential interest for health food applications are the appreciable amounts of g-linolenic acid (GLA) and the unusual polyunsaturated fatty acid, stearidonic acid. Stearidonic acid is the equivalent position of GLA in the omega-3 metabolic pathway[289].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
None known
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
The oil obtained from the seed is potentially valuable as a cosmetic component because of its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory action[289].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Grows best in an open, sunny position in moderately fertile, well-drained soils[200]. Rich soils promote lush leaf growth at the expense of flowering[200].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
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Plant Propagation
Seed - sow late winter-May or August-late autumn in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 15°c.If the seed is in short supply then it can be sown in pots in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Purple viper's-bugloss, Patterson's curse, Paterson's curse, Salvation Jane, Blue echium, Blue weed, Blueweed, Lady Campbell weed, Plantain-leaf viper's bugloss, Purple bugloss, Purple echium, Purple viper's bugloss, Riverina bluebell,
Native to: Albania, Algeria, Azores, Baleares, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Kriti, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Madeira, Morocco, Palestine, Portugal, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Selvagens, South European Russi, Spain, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkey-in-Europe, Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and Kosovo.
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
It occurs in various natural habitats, including grasslands, open woodlands, and heathlands. It quickly establishes large populations in disturbed areas and can form very dense stands that compete vigorously with smaller native plants and impede the regeneration of overstorey vegetation. Introduced to Australia, South Africa, and United States, where it is an invasive weed. Due to a high concentration of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, it is poisonous to grazing livestock, especially those with simple digestive systems, such as horses.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This species has not yet been assessed for the IUCN Red List.
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
L.
Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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Subject : Echium plantagineum
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