Echium plantagineum

Echium plantagineum_C070-06
Photo: UC Davis Weeds of California

Common names: Patterson's curse

Echium plantagineum (Patterson’s curse) is a herb (family Boraginaceae) with blue-purple to pink flowers and narrow leaves found in the central and south coast ranges of California. It is native to the Mediterranean Basin. It occurs in grasslands. It reproduces by seed and is spread by grazing livestock, ants and birds.

Cal-IPC Rating: Watch

CDFA Rating: A?

Assessment(s)

Plant Risk Assessment - An evaluation of the potential for a plant to be invasive in California.

Weed Management Notes

  • Management Notes - Information on management techniques and effectiveness from the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Weed Research & Information Center.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

There are no newsletter articles associated with this species yet.

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

There are no Symposium presentations associated with this species yet.

Other Echium plantagineum Information

  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
  • Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
  • Additional photos

    Echium plantagineum_flowers_JuergenSchrenk
    Echium plantagineum (Patterson's curse) flowers. Photo: Juergen Schrenk
    Echium plantagineum_rosette_ZoyaAkulova
    Echium plantagineum (Patterson's curse) rosette. Photo: Zoya Akulova
    Echium plantagineum_infestation_JuergenSchrenk
    Echium plantagineum (Patterson's curse) infestation. Photo: Juergen Schrenk