Flower Properties

Property	Value
English Name	Purple Viper's Bugloss
MainColor	Violet
PlantType	Herb
Growth Type	Native
Season	June
ImageUrl	Echium-002
Photographer	DP
Location
Human Toxicity	Mildly_Toxic

Flower Details

Description

A fast-growing annual or biennial with tall, branching stems covered in bristly hairs and vibrant purple-blue flowers. Popular with pollinators, especially bees, but considered a serious weed in some countries due to its rapid spread.

Distribution

Native to the Mediterranean region. Occasionally cultivated in the UK as an ornamental but sometimes naturalised, particularly in coastal areas.

Medicinal/Other Uses

Historically used in folk remedies, but not common in modern herbal medicine.

Edibility

Not edible.

Human Toxicity

Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are toxic to humans, livestock, and pets if consumed in significant quantities. Can also cause skin irritation.

Pet Toxicity

Highly toxic – can cause liver damage in dogs, cats, and livestock if ingested.

Active Compounds

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, phenolic acids.