Viper's-bugloss - Echium vulgare

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Viper's-bugloss - Echium vulgare
© Dr Chris Gibson/English Nature

This species is a very attractive wildflower found on disturbed dry soils on dunes, shingle, cliffs and open grassland throughout England. Viper's-bugloss is a biennial plant producing a rosette of hairy, strap-like leaves in the first year. In the second year tall, upright, hairy stems arise in June, covered with clusters of pink flower buds. As these uncurl into dark purplish-blue funnel-shaped flowers they offer nectar and pollen to bumble bees. This is an attractive plant for the herbaceous garden or naturalisation in a meadow. Plant it in a dry, sunny position in well-drained or sandy soils.

The name bugloss is of Greek origin, from a word signifying an ox's tongue, and alluding to the roughness and shape of the plant's leaves. The viper part of the name may derive from the spotted stem, said to recall marks on a snake, or an imagined resemblance between the dead flower-head and the head of a snake.

Animals

Buff-tailed bumble bee, Common carder bumble bee, Helophilus pendulus, Honey bee, Large skipper, Painted lady, Red mason bee, Red-tailed bumble bee, Small skipper, White-tailed bumble bee

Foliage	Green
Flower	Blue, June to September
Moisture	(Dry)
Sunlight	(Full sun)
Origin	Native