Viper's-bugloss
Viper's-bugloss, Isle of Portland, Dorset
Single plant
Stamens and style with forked stigma
Flowers - close up
Snake-like flower buds
Hairy sepals
Leaves
Echium vulgare
Boraginaceae
June to September
It is found throughout the country but is less common in
the Midlands and the Northwest.
See the BSBI distribution map for Viper's-bugloss
It grows in waste grassy places, sand dunes and shingle.
It is declining as unused land and brownfield sites are built
on.
Viper's-bugloss is a biennial, native, bristly herb, growing
up to 1m.
The flowers are in drooping clusters.
Unopened buds are pink but the flowers are brilliant blue.
They are up to 18mm with 4 outer pink stamens and a
5th, shorter one, in the middle.
The style is longer than the stamens and the stigma is
forked.
Sepals are persistent and very bristly.
Lower leaves are lanceolate and up to 15cm.
Upper leaves are small, narrow and with bristles.
Viper's-bugloss, Isle of Portland, Dorset
Single plant
Stamens and style with forked stigma
Flowers - close up
Snake-like flower buds
Hairy sepals
Leaves
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