Echium plantagineum
Species of plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Echium plantagineum, commonly known as purple viper's-bugloss,[1] Paterson's curse or Salvation Jane, is a species of the genus Echium native to western and southern Europe (from southern England south to Iberia and east to the Crimea), northern Africa, and southwestern Asia (east to Georgia).[2][3] 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 simple digestive systems, such as horses.
| Echium plantagineum | |
|---|---|
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| In Portugal | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Boraginales |
| Family: | Boraginaceae |
| Genus: | Echium |
| Species: | E. plantagineum |
| Binomial name | |
| Echium plantagineum | |
Description
Taxonomy
The Latin genus name comes from the Greek word ekhis, which means viper (a type of snake), possibly due to the seeds resembling a viper's head or the forking at the end of the thin flower style resembles a viper's tongue. The plant's roots, when eaten with wine, are claimed to provide a folk cure for a snakebite.[6] The Latin specific epithet plantagineum refers to the leaves of the plant, which are similar to those of a plantain.[6]
Echium seed oil
The seed oil from E. plantagineum contains high levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), gamma-linolenic acid, and stearidonic acid, making it valuable in cosmetic and skin-care applications, with further potential as a functional food, as an alternative to fish oils.[7] However, despite its high ALA content, Echium seed oil does not increase docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid levels.[8]
Invasive species
E. plantagineum has become an invasive species in Australia, where it is also known as Salvation Jane (particularly in South Australia),[6] blueweed, Lady Campbell weed, Paterson's curse and Riverina bluebell.[9]
In the United States, the species has become naturalised in parts of California, Oregon, and some eastern states and areas such as northern Michigan.[10] In Oregon, it has been declared a noxious weed.[11]
Toxicity
E. plantagineum – commonly called Paterson's curse or pyrrolizidinosis in veterinary medicine – contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which is poisonous to grazing animals, especially nonruminants.[12][13][14] When eaten in large quantities, it causes reduced livestock weight, and death in severe cases, due to liver damage.[9] Paterson's curse can kill horses,[14] and irritate the udders of dairy cows and the skin of humans.[citation needed]
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.[15] 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.
