Echium
A group of flowering plants with many species, some called viper's bugloss
Echium is a group of about 70 flowering plant species in the borage family. These plants are found in parts of Africa, Europe, Central Asia, and the Macaronesian islands, with some grown in gardens worldwide. Some species have become invasive in places like Australia. Echium is valued for its ornamental flowers and seed oil.
- About 70 species belong to the Echium genus
- Many species are native to Macaronesian islands
- Echium plantagineum is invasive in Australia
- Seed oil is used in cosmetics and food
- Young shoots are eaten in Crete
What does Echium look like?
Echium plants include both herbaceous and woody types. The continental species tend to be soft-stemmed, while those found on islands like the Canaries and Madeira are often shrubby and long-lived. Their flowers are usually arranged in spikes or clusters, and the genus is known for its diversity in form. Some species are grown for their attractive blooms in gardens.
Where does Echium come from?
Echium is native to a wide area that covers parts of Africa, stretches through Europe and Central Asia, and includes the Macaronesian islands. The greatest variety is found on islands such as the Canaries, Madeira, and Cape Verde, where many species are unique to those places. The name Echium comes from ancient Greek, inspired by the nutlet's resemblance to a viper's head, and was formally described by Linnaeus in the 18th century.
When and how Echium blooms
Echium species are grown in gardens for their flowers and sometimes for their seed oil. In Crete, young shoots of Echium italicum are eaten after boiling or steaming. The plants can be grown from seed and are suited to a range of climates, especially those similar to the Mediterranean. Some species have spread widely outside their native areas.
How Echium is used
People grow Echium for its decorative flowers and, in some regions, as a food source. The seed oil from certain species is used in cosmetics and skin care, and sometimes as a food ingredient. In Crete, the shoots are a local food. Some cultures have also used Echium extracts in traditional remedies.
Kinds of Echium
The genus Echium includes about 70 species and several subspecies, with 29 species found only on the Canary, Madeira, and Cape Verde islands. Some species, like Echium plantagineum, have become well known outside their native range, both as garden plants and as invasive weeds.
What Echium means
Echium has a long history, with its name tracing back to ancient Greece. Some species are important in local diets or traditional medicine. In gardens, they are valued for their flowers, but in some countries, certain Echium species are considered problematic weeds due to their ability to spread quickly.
Questions people ask about Echium
Where does Echium come from?
Echium species are native to regions of Africa, Europe, Central Asia, and the Macaronesian islands, with the highest diversity on islands like the Canaries, Madeira, and Cape Verde.
What is Echium used for?
Echium is grown for its ornamental flowers, and some species are used for their seed oil in cosmetics and food. In Crete, young shoots are eaten, and extracts have been used in traditional remedies.
Why is Echium called viper's bugloss?
The name Echium comes from Greek, referring to a resemblance between the plant's nutlets and a viper's head, a connection made by the ancient writer Dioscorides.
Is Echium invasive anywhere?
Yes, some Echium species, such as Echium plantagineum, have become invasive in places like Australia, where they spread rapidly and can disrupt local ecosystems.
Are all Echium species the same?
No, the genus includes both herbaceous and woody species, with many unique to the Canary, Madeira, and Cape Verde islands. Some are garden plants, while others are wild or even invasive.
Good reading and sources
- Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
- USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Echium", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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