Practical
Plants

Echium vulgare

Viper's Bugloss

a biennial or perennial member of the Echium genus in the family Boraginaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Echium
Life cycle
biennial, perennial
Height
0.9 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are poisonous[4]. No cases of poisoning have ever been recorded for this plant[13]. The bristly hairs on the leaves and stems can cause severe dermatitis[6].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves - raw or cooked[12][14][2]. They can be used as a spinach substitute[14]. Mild and mucilaginous[K]. Although somewhat hairy, when chopped up finely they are an acceptable part of a mixed salad[K]. Eating the leaves is said to stimulate sexual desire[14]. Use with caution, there is an unconfirmed report of toxicity[7].

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Viper's bugloss was once considered to be a preventative and remedy for viper bites[10]. It is related to borage, Borago officinalis, and has many similar actions, especially in its sweat-inducing and diuretic effects[10]. 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[10]. The leaves and flowering stems are antitussive, aphrodisiac, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, pectoral and vulnerary[11][12][8]. An infusion of the plant is taken internally as a diuretic and in the treatment of fevers, headaches, chest conditions etc[9][10]. 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[12][10]. The leaves are harvested in the summer and can be dried for later use[12]. The roots contain the healing agent allantoin[8]. The plant is said to be efficacious in the treatment of snake bites[11]. When chopped up finely, the fresh flowering heads can be made into a poultice for treating whitlows and boils[12].

Product or use
Antitussive
Product or use
Aphrodisiac
Product or use
Demulcent
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emollient
Product or use
Pectoral
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A red dye is obtained from the root[12].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

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[11][12][3]. It is also found on walls, old quarries and gravel pits[11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow February-May or August-November 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.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in any good garden soil but flowers best when the soil is not too rich[1]. Requires a sunny position[5]. The plant is very deep rooted[11]. A good bee plant[11].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

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  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  4. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

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  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

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  6. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

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  7. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

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  8. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2

  9. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

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  10. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  11. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  12. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  13. Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291

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  14. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

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