Echium vulgare Blue Weed, Bugloss Europe     Corolla shallowly 5 lobed, blue-purple to pink.   Alternate, sessile with spines on midrib below, green above, light green below.   Waste ground, roadsides, gravel bars, sand bars     This species has sharp spines, which cover the plant and may become lodged in the skin. Traditionally the leaves were boiled and made into a tea which supposedly helped fevers and headaches. The plant contains alkaloids and is poisonous.

Copyright © 2000-