Viper's Bugloss

Information

Echium vulgare - Boraginaceae Family - Biennial

Other common name: Blueweed

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Identification

Flowers: Abundant flowers are funnel-shaped and bright blue to purple in color. Flowers also have external hairs.
Seeds: Seeds are 0.8-0.12 in. (2-3 mm) long, brownish grey in color, have a rough texture, and an elongated triangular shape. Seeds can remain viable for several years in the soil.
Leaves: Leaves are oblanceolate and have white 'speckles' that give them a dimpled appearance. They can also have relatively long white hairs.
Flowering Time: Flowering occurs June to August, seeds maturing about a month after bloom.
Life cycle: Viper’s Bugloss is a biennial that spends its first year as a small, flowerless rosette. In the late summer of its second year, the plant produces flowers, with seeds following a month later. The plant then dies off the following winter.

Impacts

Viper’s Bugloss has been known to act as a secondary host for multiple floral diseases and can spread them throughout an area.
It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can prove fatal to cattle if ingested in large quantities.
Viper’s Bugloss is primarily seed spread and can easily travel long distances by hitchhiking on vehicles and clothing.

Most effective control methods

Small infestations of Viper’s Bugloss can be effectively controlled by manually pulling and disposing in the trash.
There are currently no biological control agents approved for use against Viper’s Bugloss in the US.
Chemical control can be effective against Viper’s Bugloss if applied prior to flowering and seed production.

Viper's bugloss: flowers

Viper's bugloss: stems and foliage

Viper's bugloss: flowers

Viper's bugloss

Viper's bugloss: infestation

Viper's bugloss: seed

Viper's bugloss: seedlings

Viper's bugloss