Purple viper's-bugloss
Viper's-bugloss with purple spring flowers giving abundant nectar and dark blue pollen; a major monofloral honey source in Australia.
- Nectar
- Very good
- Pollen
- Good
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Pollen colour
- Height
- 0,2-0,6 m
- Life cycle
- Annual
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Purple viper's-bugloss is a common Echium species of fallow fields, pastures and roadsides along the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts. Its funnel-shaped violet-blue flowers secrete abundant nectar over a long period; secretion continues even on dry days. Pollen loads are the dark navy-violet typical of Echium and are easy to recognise.
Flowering
It flowers from late March to early June. In Australia it became established in the 19th century, turned into an invasive weed covering vast pastures, and there became an important honey source.
Honey and pollen
In Australia a light amber, mildly sweet honey bearing its name is produced. Echium honeys can contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids; for this reason, blending them with other honeys is recommended in some countries.
Note for the beekeeper
In coastal apiaries it is valuable for spring build-up and pollen stores. In Turkey and the Mediterranean, where it is native, it is not regarded as invasive.