ExplorePlants

viper's-bugloss

Echium vulgare

Viper's bugloss is a beautiful flower with bright blue petals that attract bees and butterflies. It grows tall and can be found in sunny places, making gardens and fields look lovely.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The viper's-bugloss has vibrant, funnel-shaped blue-purple flowers that emerge from pink buds, clustered along tall, hairy stems. Its long, lance-shaped leaves are also covered in stiff hairs, giving the plant a rough texture.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderBoraginalesFamilyBoraginaceaeGenusEchium
viper's-bugloss
flowering trait badgenitrogen_fixing trait badgebiennial trait badgetube_flower trait badge
viper's-bugloss

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

5

Interesting facts

Its speckled stem and curving flower spikes reminded people of a viper's head!

People once used this plant to help with snake bites and ward off evil spirits!

The flowers amazingly change color from pink to bright blue as they open!

Tiny seeds are a tasty treat for small birds, helping them get through winter!

Special abilities

Ability

Nectar Power

Viper's-bugloss produces abundant nectar, attracting many pollinators like bees to help it spread its seeds.

Ability

Tough Survivor

It has deep taproots, helping viper's-bugloss find water and survive in dry, poor soil where others struggle.

Ability

Prickly Shield

Stiff, bristly hairs cover its stems and leaves, making viper's-bugloss less appealing for hungry animals.

Measurements & details

Height
30-90 cm
Spread
30-60 cm
Flower Size
1-2 cm
Bloom Season
Late Spring to Early Autumn
Edible
No
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Biennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

Viper's-bugloss flowers provide abundant nectar and pollen.

pollinates

Buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

A highly attractive nectar source for these important pollinators.

eats

European goldfinch

Carduelis carduelis

These birds feed on the mature seeds of the plant.

pollinates

Old World swallowtail

Papilio machaon

Its showy flowers are visited by various butterfly species for nectar.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch flowers unless a grown-up says it's okay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify viper's-bugloss?

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

How tall is viper's-bugloss?

30-90 cm

How wide does viper's-bugloss spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on viper's-bugloss?

1-2 cm

When does viper's-bugloss bloom?

Late Spring to Early Autumn

Is viper's-bugloss edible?

No

Is viper's-bugloss toxic?

Mild

What is viper's-bugloss's lifecycle?

Biennial

Snap Map

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