purple viper's-bugloss
ExplorePlants
purple viper's-bugloss
Echium plantagineum
The purple viper's-bugloss is a beautiful flower with bright purple petals. It attracts bees and butterflies, making gardens lively and colorful. This plant loves sunny spots and can grow in poor soil.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The purple viper's-bugloss has vibrant, bell-shaped purple flowers that grow in long, curving spikes. Its hairy stems and leaves give it a slightly rough texture, making it distinct from smoother wildflowers.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderBoraginalesFamilyBoraginaceaeGenusEchium
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Each plant can produce thousands of seeds, allowing it to spread far and wide!
Its name 'viper's-bugloss' comes from the tiny seeds resembling a viper's head!
The beautiful flowers are sometimes used to make natural purple and blue dyes!
This plant can be a super important food source for many types of bees and butterflies!
Special abilities
Ability
Nectar Beacon
Purple viper's-bugloss has bright purple flowers that change color, guiding insects to its abundant nectar for successful pollination.
Ability
Toxin Shield
Purple viper's-bugloss contains special toxins that protect it from being eaten by many grazing animals, helping it survive in harsh conditions.
Ability
Deep Drinker
Purple viper's-bugloss has a long taproot that can reach deep into the soil to find water, allowing it to survive dry periods.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 20-60 cm
- Spread
- 15-40 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to Summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Moderate
- Lifecycle
- Biennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Collects nectar and pollen.
pollinates
Painted lady butterfly
Vanessa cardui
Feeds on its abundant nectar.
eaten by
Cattle
Bos taurus
Can be poisoned by toxins.
eats
Bugloss Moth
Cochylichus echiumanus
Larvae consume the seeds.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Nitrogen Fixing
Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
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 purple viper's-bugloss?
The easiest way to identify purple viper's-bugloss is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is purple viper's-bugloss?
20-60 cm
How wide does purple viper's-bugloss spread?
15-40 cm
How big are the flowers on purple viper's-bugloss?
1-2 cm
When does purple viper's-bugloss bloom?
Spring to Summer
Is purple viper's-bugloss edible?
No
Is purple viper's-bugloss toxic?
Moderate
What is purple viper's-bugloss's lifecycle?
Biennial
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