Invasive Species Council of Manitoba

Blue Weed

Echium vulgar

Native to Eurasia Blue Weed is a biennial or short lived perennial. In the first year it forms low growing rosettes with hairy leaves and in the second year is the flowering bolt stage. The tap root of this plant can grow 0.5 m or longer. Blue weed is a prolific seed producer; a single plant can produce 2,800 seeds which can remain viable for several years. Dried stalks break off and tumble around in the winter distributing seeds. This plant is potentially poisonous and unpalatable to grazers.

Shade intolerant and adapted to nutrient poor soils including dry rocky or shallow soils, blue weed can also do well in other soil types and pH's so long as they are well drained.

Stems grow 30-80 cm tall and are covered in short stiff hairs, there can be 1 to several stems per plant. The leaves are lanced shaped and also covered in stiff hairs. They become smaller as they move up the stem. Flowers are arranged on the upper side of a short arching stem. TheÂ buds are reddish purple and the flowers are a bright blue, petals are fused at the base.

Information provided by Alberta Invasive Plant Council

Photos fromÂ E-Flora BC Photo Gallery

Resources

2011 Rural Municipality Distribution Map

2010 Rural Municipality Distribution Map

Blue Weed MWSA 2009 Survey Map

Blueweed ISCM Fact Sheet

Alberta Invasive Plant Council Fact Sheet

Back to Terrestrial Invasive Species List

Invasive Species Council of Manitoba

Blue Weed

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