Flower Properties

Property	Value
English Name	Giant Viper's-bugloss
MainColor	Blue
PlantType	Herb
Growth Type	Naturalized
Season	May
ImageUrl	Echium-001
Photographer	DP
Location	London City
Human Toxicity	Mildly_Toxic

Flower Details

Description

A striking biennial or short-lived perennial that can grow up to 4 m tall, producing towering spires of blue to violet flowers. Native to the Canary Islands but naturalised in parts of Cornwall and coastal areas of the UK.

Distribution

Canary Islands; introduced and naturalised in mild regions of the UK.

Medicinal/Other Uses

Related species (like Echium vulgare) have been used in folk remedies, but E. pininana is mainly ornamental

Edibility

Not edible.

Human Toxicity

Seeds and leaves may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are toxic to the liver if consumed in quantity.

Pet Toxicity

Not Toxic

Active Compounds

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, flavonoids, and plant pigments.