common viper's bugloss
Family
BoraginaceaeScientific Name
Echium vulgare
Other Common Names:
viper's bugloss
blue thistle
blue devil
snake flower
blueweed
Leaves
Rosette leaves are oblong to linear- lanceolate in outline, 2 to 6 inches long and reaching 1 1/4 inches in width. Rosette leaves narrow to a short petiole. Leaves that occur on the flowering stem are also oblong to linear-lanceolate in outline but do not have petioles. Flowering stem leaves also become progressively smaller up the stem. All leaves have white 'speckles' that give the leaves a dimpled appearance and also have relatively long white hairs.
Identifying Characteristics
A biennial that takes on a rosette growth habit during the first year of growth and produces a flowering stem during the second year. Plants are covered with long hairs and produce many bright blue flowers. Viper's Bugloss is primarily a weed of pastures, roadsides, and noncrop areas. The 'dimpled' appearance of the leaves and bright blue to purple flowers of viper's bugloss helps to distinguish this weed from most other weed species. When in the rosette stage, this weed might be confused with Curly Dock (Rumex crispus), but curly dock does not have white-speckled and 'dimpled' leaves like viper's bugloss.
Flower Seed Head
Bright blue to purple in color, approximately 8 to 12 mm long. Flowers somewhat resemble a funnel and also have external hairs.
Growth Habit
upright and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
present
Approximate Flower Diameter
pencil
Dominant Flower Color
Varies:
blue,
purple
Flower Symmetry
bilateral symmetry
Leaf Hairs
has hairs
Leaf Shape
Varies:
needle,
lance
Leaf Arrangement
rosette
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Structure
simple
Leaf Stalk
Varies:
none,
shorter than leaf
Stem Hairs
has hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
Varies:
fibrous,
taproot
Life Cycle
biennial
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb