ExplorePlants

Cretan Viper's-bugloss

Echium creticum

Cretan Viper's-bugloss is a beautiful flower with bright blue petals. It grows in sunny places and attracts many bees and butterflies, making it a happy spot in nature.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Cretan Viper's-bugloss has striking, funnel-shaped flowers that burst forth in vibrant blue or purplish-blue hues from pinkish buds. Its stems and lance-shaped leaves are covered in rough, bristly hairs, giving the plant a unique texture.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderBoraginalesFamilyBoraginaceaeGenusEchium
Cretan Viper's-bugloss
flowering trait badgesummer_blooming trait badgetube_flower trait badgefragrant_flower trait badge
Cretan Viper's-bugloss

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Ancient people once believed this plant could magically cure snake bites.

Rubbing its rough leaves gently feels like touching sandpaper!

The plant's name hints at its seeds, which some say look like a tiny viper's head!

You can find this 'Cretan' beauty not just on Crete, but across sunny Mediterranean lands.

Special abilities

Ability

Water-Wise Warrior

Cretan Viper's-bugloss has bristly, hairy leaves that trap moisture, helping it survive in dry, sunny Mediterranean climates.

Ability

Nectar Beacon

Its vivid blue flowers act like a bright signal, guiding busy bees and other insects to its sweet nectar for pollination.

Ability

Rocky Resilient

This plant grows a strong, deep taproot, allowing it to anchor itself firmly and find water in shallow, rocky soils.

Measurements & details

Height
15-45 cm
Spread
10-30 cm
Flower Size
1-2.5 cm
Bloom Season
Spring to early Summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
Moderate
Lifecycle
Biennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Gathers nectar and pollen from flowers.

pollinates

Buff-tailed Bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

An important pollinator in its range.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch flowers without asking an adult first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Cretan Viper's-bugloss?

The easiest way to identify Cretan Viper's-bugloss is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How tall is Cretan Viper's-bugloss?

15-45 cm

How wide does Cretan Viper's-bugloss spread?

10-30 cm

How big are the flowers on Cretan Viper's-bugloss?

1-2.5 cm

When does Cretan Viper's-bugloss bloom?

Spring to early Summer

Is Cretan Viper's-bugloss edible?

No

Is Cretan Viper's-bugloss toxic?

Moderate

What is Cretan Viper's-bugloss's lifecycle?

Biennial

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