Echium plantagineum

Wegerichblättriger (Echium plantagineum )

The Wegerichblättrige (Echium plantagineum ) is a plant from the family of the borage family ( Boraginaceae ).

Another regional name was in the 19th century Ochsenmaulsalat (Mark Brandenburg).

Description

The Wegerichblättrige bugloss is a one-or two-year or perennial herbaceous plant. He is 20 to 60 inches high and is hairy weichborstig. The long -stalked and ovate - spateligen basal leaves are arranged in a plantain -like rosette. They have a raised veins and are up to 14 centimeters long.

The seated stem leaves have a heart-shaped base and include the stem up to half. The crown is 18 to 30 mm long and is blue, pink and purple later by broad vase- shaped form. Two of the five stamens protrude from the flower. The warty fruits are nutlets.

The flowering period extends from April to July.

The plants are frost sensitive and therefore in Germany usually annual. Sow from March ( frost protected) or after the last frost in the wild. Flowering late June to August with late planting until October.

Occurrence

The Mediterranean style is throughout the Mediterranean and parts of western Europe (north to south-west England ) and spread on the Canary Islands, Azores and Madeira. As the site roadsides, wastelands and dry sandy soils are preferred near the coast.

The species has become native to the United States. Stocks are known in parts of the eastern states such as California and Oregon, but also in northern Michigan. Oregon leads the way in Schedule A and T as a noxious weed ( invasive species). The occurrence (first discovered in 2003 ) are local and are or will be under observation contained (as of 2012). The population is called upon to fight new ranges of plants and report.

In Australia, this plant is one of the invasive species. The import is strictly prohibited. Especially the south of the continent is concerned. In the drought months, the species grows better than other green fodder. Horses eat the plants and get through the plant toxins chronic liver damage. After a major bushfire in Canberra early 2003, the style best growing conditions found off what the disease rate significantly increased with the horses. Most horses die six months after they ate the plants.