Lucas Land
Viper's Bugloss
Echium vulgare L.
From Nearctica
Alien: Native of Europe.
Identification: Flowers initially pink turning blue with age. Five petals fused in their lower halves, with upper petal constricted, large, forming a hood. Stamens projecting past corolla margin. Sepals elongate, bristly. Flowers in short, curled sprays from leaf axils. Stem hairy. Leaves hairy, elongate, with smooth outer margins. Plant 1 to 2.5 feet in height.
Distribution: Throughout North America except for parts of the southeastern and southwestern states.
Habitat: Viper's Bugloss is a weedy plant of disturbed habitats such as empty lots, fields, and roadsides.
Flowering period: June to September.