Echium vulgare
L.
Boraginaceae
The Temperate Database is in the process of being updated, with new records being added and old ones being checked and brought up to date where necessary. This record has not yet been checked and updated.
Common Name: Viper's Bugloss
General Information
Echium vulgare is a Biennial/Perennial up to 0.90 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.
Known Hazards
The leaves are poisonous[
20- Title
- Companion Planting for Successful Gardening.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Riotte. L.
- Publisher
- Garden Way, Vermont, USA.
- Year
- 1978
- ISBN
- 0-88266-064-0
- Description
- Fairly good.
]. No cases of poisoning have ever been recorded for this plant[
76- Title
- Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Cooper. M. and Johnson. A.
- Publisher
- HMSO
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0112425291
- Description
- Concentrates mainly on the effects of poisonous plants to livestock.
]. The bristly hairs on the leaves and stems can cause severe dermatitis[
207- Title
- The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Coffey. T.
- Publisher
- Facts on File.
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
- 0-8160-2624-6
- Description
- A nice read, lots of information on plant uses.
].
Botanical References
17- Title
- Flora of the British Isles.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Clapham, Tutin and Warburg.
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Year
- 1962
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
,
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Range
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, the Urals and W. Asia.
Habitat
Calcareous and light dry soils, especially on cliffs near the sea[
4- Title
- A Modern Herbal.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grieve.
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-14-046-440-9
- Description
- Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
,
7- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chiej. R.
- Publisher
- MacDonald
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-356-10541-5
- Description
- Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
,
17- Title
- Flora of the British Isles.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Clapham, Tutin and Warburg.
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Year
- 1962
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
]. It is also found on walls, old quarries and gravel pits[
4- Title
- A Modern Herbal.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grieve.
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-14-046-440-9
- Description
- Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
].
Properties
Edibility Rating | |
Medicinal Rating | |
Habit | Biennial/Perennial |
Height | 0.90 m |
Growth Rate | Fast |
Pollinators | Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera |
Self-fertile | Yes |
Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Succeeds in any good garden soil but flowers best when the soil is not too rich[
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
]. Requires a sunny position[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
The plant is very deep rooted[
4- Title
- A Modern Herbal.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grieve.
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-14-046-440-9
- Description
- Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
].
A good bee plant[
4- Title
- A Modern Herbal.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grieve.
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-14-046-440-9
- Description
- Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
].
Edible Uses
Young leaves - raw or cooked[
7- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chiej. R.
- Publisher
- MacDonald
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-356-10541-5
- Description
- Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
,
9- Title
- Edible and Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Launert. E.
- Publisher
- Hamlyn
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-600-37216-2
- Description
- Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.
,
13- Title
- Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Triska. Dr.
- Publisher
- Hamlyn
- Year
- 1975
- ISBN
- 0-600-33545-3
- Description
- Very interesting reading, giving some details of plant uses and quite a lot of folk-lore.
]. They can be used as a spinach substitute[
9- Title
- Edible and Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Launert. E.
- Publisher
- Hamlyn
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-600-37216-2
- Description
- Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.
]. Mild and mucilaginous[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. Although somewhat hairy, when chopped up finely they are an acceptable part of a mixed salad[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. Eating the leaves is said to stimulate sexual desire[
9- Title
- Edible and Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Launert. E.
- Publisher
- Hamlyn
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-600-37216-2
- Description
- Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.
]. Use with caution, there is an unconfirmed report of toxicity[
21- Title
- The Herb Book.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lust. J.
- Publisher
- Bantam books
- Year
- 1983
- ISBN
- 0-553-23827-2
- Description
- Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.
].
There has been an increase in interest in a number of Echium species because of the fatty acid composition of the seed oil[
289- Title
- The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
]. 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 a number of important compounds in the body[
289- Title
- The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
]. 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- Title
- The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
].
The seed oil from Echium contains a unique ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids[
289- Title
- The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
]. These lipids, previously obtained from other plant sources, have been used for many years in food supplements[
289- Title
- The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
]. Of potential interest for health food applications are the appreciable amounts of g-linolenic acid (GLA) as well as the unusual polyunsaturated fatty acid, stearidonic acid. Stearidonic acid is the equivalent position of GLA in the omega-3 metabolic pathway[
289- Title
- The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
].
Medicinal
Viper's bugloss was once considered to be a preventative and remedy for viper bites[
254- Title
- The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chevallier. A.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley. London
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
- 9-780751-303148
- Description
- An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
]. It is related to borage, Borago officinalis, and has many similar actions, especially in its sweat-inducing and diuretic effects[
254- Title
- The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chevallier. A.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley. London
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
- 9-780751-303148
- Description
- An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
]. In recent times, however, it has fallen out of use, partly due to lack of interest in its medicinal potential and partly to its content of pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are toxic in isolation[
254- Title
- The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chevallier. A.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley. London
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
- 9-780751-303148
- Description
- An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
].
The leaves and flowering stems are antitussive, aphrodisiac, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, pectoral and vulnerary[
4- Title
- A Modern Herbal.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grieve.
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-14-046-440-9
- Description
- Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
,
7- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chiej. R.
- Publisher
- MacDonald
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-356-10541-5
- Description
- Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
,
222- Title
- A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Foster. S. & Duke. J. A.
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Co.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-395-46722-5
- Description
- A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.
]. An infusion of the plant is taken internally as a diuretic and in the treatment of fevers, headaches, chest conditions etc[
244- Title
- Herbs
- Publication
-
- Author
- Phillips. R. & Foy. N.
- Publisher
- Pan Books Ltd. London.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-330-30725-8
- Description
- Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.
,
254- Title
- The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chevallier. A.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley. London
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
- 9-780751-303148
- Description
- An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
]. The juice of the plant is an effective emollient for reddened and delicate skins, it is used as a poultice or plaster to treat boils and carbuncles[
7- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chiej. R.
- Publisher
- MacDonald
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-356-10541-5
- Description
- Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
,
254- Title
- The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chevallier. A.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley. London
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
- 9-780751-303148
- Description
- An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
]. The leaves are harvested in the summer and can be dried for later use[
7- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chiej. R.
- Publisher
- MacDonald
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-356-10541-5
- Description
- Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
].
The roots contain the healing agent allantoin[
222- Title
- A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Foster. S. & Duke. J. A.
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Co.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-395-46722-5
- Description
- A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.
].
The plant is said to be efficacious in the treatment of snake bites[
4- Title
- A Modern Herbal.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grieve.
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-14-046-440-9
- Description
- Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
]. When chopped up finely, the fresh flowering heads can be made into a poultice for treating whitlows and boils[
7- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chiej. R.
- Publisher
- MacDonald
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-356-10541-5
- Description
- Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
].
Other Uses
The oil obtained from the seed is potentially valuable as a cosmetic component The oil obtained from the seed is potentially valuable as a cosmetic component because of its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory action[
289- Title
- The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
].
A red dye is obtained from the root[
7- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chiej. R.
- Publisher
- MacDonald
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-356-10541-5
- Description
- Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
].
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.