Published in WSWS Proceedings, 2007, Portland, OR.
VIPER’S BUGLOSS: BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF A NEW INVADER ON RANGELAND
Celestine A. Duncan, Bill Kral, Bryce Christiaens, and Rob Johnson
Viper’s bugloss (Echium vulgare L.) is a biennial to short-lived taprooted perennial in the borage family. The plant grows 2 to 3 feet tall, and both stems and leaves are covered with stiff trichomes that emerge from a bulbous base. Brilliant blue flowers are borne on a thyrse, and produce from 500 to 2000 seeds per plant. Viper’s bugloss contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids poisonous to livestock. The plant is native to Europe preferring dry, coarse textured, rocky soils. It is established in temperate zones worldwide especially along transportation corridors, overgrazed pastures, and rangeland.
Tags: Blueweed