Blueweed (Echium vulgare)
1B, limited presence in Montana
Quick ID
- Dark spots at base of hairs along stem
- Brightly colored blue funnel-shaped flowers
- Five bright pink or red stamens, four long and one short
- Stems and leaves covered in hairs
- Plants can be over 3’ tall
Blueweed Plant
Video Information
Weed Images
Weed Specifications
| Type | Information |
|---|---|
| Toxicity | Toxic to livestock, contains alkaloids that can cause liver failure, but unpalatable. |
| Best Management Practices | Hand pulling, herbicide treatments, not shade tolerant *See management plan below. |
| Habitat | Disturbed, overgrazed areas with course, low-fertility soils. |
| Root | Dark taproot with some fibrous lateral roots. |
| Leaves | Hairy, linear, lance-shaped leaves, alternate, becoming smaller toward the top of the stem. |
| Lifespan | Biennial or sometimes short-lived perennial, only reproduces by seed. |
| Similar Looking Plants | Waxleaf penstemon, Phacelia species, common bugloss, houndstongue, none of which have spotted stems. |
| Important Information | Flowers can also be purple or pink or rarely white, average 1,800 seeds per plant, also called Viper’s Bugloss, wear gloves and long sleeves when pulling due to the fiberglass-like hairs. |
