''Echium plantagineum'', commonly known as purple viper's-bugloss or Patterson's curse, is a species of the genus ''Echium'' native to western and southern Europe (from southern England south to Iberian peninsula, Iberia and east to the Crimea), northern Africa, and southwestern Asia (east to Georgia (country), Georgia).''Echium plantagineum''.
''Flora Europaea''. It has also been introduced to Australia, South Africa and United States, where it is an invasive weed. Due to a high concentration of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, it is poisonous to grazing livestock, especially those with very simple digestive systems, like horses.

Description

''Echium plantagineum'' is a Annual plant, winter annual plant growing to 20–60cm tall, with rough, hairy, lanceolate leaf, leaves up to 14 cm long. The flowers are purple, 15–20 mm long, with all the stamens protruding, and borne on a branched spike.Blamey, M. & C. Grey-Wilson. ''Flora of Britain and Northern Europe''. 1989. Piggin, C. M. & A. W. Sheppard. (1995). ''Echium plantagineum'' L. In: Groves, R. H., R. C. H. Shepherd, and R. G. Richardson, (eds.) ''The Biology of Australian Weeds'' Vol 1. R. G. and F. J. Richardson, Melbourne. pp 87-110.

Taxonomy

The Latin genus name comes from the Greek word 'ekhis' which means viper (a type of snake). Some sources say that this is due to the seeds resembling a viper's head. Others claim that the forking at the end of the thin flower style resembles a viper's tongue. It is also claimed that the plant roots when eaten with wine could provide a folk cure for a snake bite. The Latin Botanical name#Binary name, specific epithet ''plantagineum'' then refers to the leaves of the plant which are similar to those of a Plantago, plantain.W. T. Parsons, William Thomas Parsons and E. G. Cuthbertson

Invasive species

''Echnium plantagineum'' has become an invasive species in Australia, where it is also known as Salvation Jane (particularly in South Australia), blueweed, Lady Campbell weed, Paterson's Curse and Riverina bluebell.Lewis Kahn and David Cottle (editors) In the United States, the species has become naturalised in parts of California, Oregon, and some eastern states and areas such as northern Michigan. In Oregon it has been declared a noxious weed.

Toxicity

''Echium plantagineum'' contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids and is poisonous. The MERCK Veterinary Manual, Table 5
When eaten in large quantities, it causes reduced livestock weight, and death in severe cases, due to liver damage. Paterson's curse can also kill horses,Patersons Curse and Horse Health
/ref> and irritate the udders of dairy cows and the skin of humans. After the 2003 Canberra bushfires, a large bloom of the plant occurred on the burned land, and many horses became ill and died from grazing on it.Paterson's curse poisoning in horses.
''Animal Health Surveillance Quarterly Report'' 8(4) Oct-Dec 2003. Because the alkaloids can also be found in the nectar of Paterson's curse, the honey made from it should be blended with other honeys to dilute the toxins.

References

External links

* * {{Taxonbar, from=Q159280 Echium, plantagineum Flora of Africa Flora of Asia Flora of Europe Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus