Blueweed

Common Name: Blueweed Scientific Name: Echium vulgare Habitat: disturbed areas, roadsides, grassland Provincial Designation: Noxious Noxious weeds are plant species that are designated as "noxious weeds" in the Alberta weed regulation. Noxious weeds must be controlled, meaning their growth or spread needs to be prevented.

Origin

Blueweed is native to Eurasia. It was most likely introduced to North America as an ornamental garden plant. The first herbarium specimen in North America was collected in 1828 but the exact year of introduction is unclear.

Legislated Because

This species can invade rangeland and pastures. It is unpalatable and leads to overgrazed pastures.

Description

Typically the 15-20 mm wide blueweed flowers are blue in colour. Occasionally, plants with white or purple flowers can be found. The petals are united and form a funnel-shaped flower with 5 lobes. Each flower has 5 stamens and 3-5 of them will stretch out past the petals.

The leaves are linear to lance-shaped. The basal leaves have a prominent midvein and can grow up to 15 cm long. The entire plant is covered in stiff hairs. The hairs at the stem have a distinctive black base.

Each plant grows one to several slender flowering stems that reach a height of up to 80 cm.

Learn more about this species:

See Fact Sheets - Alberta Invasive Species Council