Etymology: Echium: from Greek echis, "a viper," the nutlets appearing to represent a viper's head
Plants: erect, biennial, 1'-3' tall forb, roughly-hairy especially above; taprooted
Leaves: lower leaves stalked, getting smaller towards top and becoming stalkless
Flowers: blue to pink, 5-parted, 1/2"-3/4" long, irregularly funnel-shaped, stamens extending beyond the petals; inflorescence of many curving, branched clusters (cymes); blooms June-Sept.
Fruits: slightly rough nutlets
Habitat: disturbed sites
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized

USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"