Echium vulgare L.

Title: Echium vulgare L.

Scientific Name:

Echium vulgare L.

Common Name:

viper's bugloss

Source & more images (via ALA)

Habitat: Temperate regions up to elevations of 2,100 metres where it occurs over a wide range of soils but prefers the drier lighter soils (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992). It is a weed of pastures, roadsides and neglected areas (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). Viper's bugloss invades lowland grassland and grassy woodland and dry sclerophyll forest and woodland (Carr et al., 1992).

Distribution:

Original source via GBIF

Invasiveness Assessment

ESTABLISHMENT

1. Germination requirements? "Plants in all stages of growth are found at virtually any time of the year". (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

2. Establishment requirements? Occurs in ‘dry sclerophyll forest and woodland', where it would receive some shading. (Carr et al., 1992)

3. How much disturbance is required? Establishes in minor disturbed natural ecosystems (e.g. grassland, grassy woodland, forest/woodland, as well as pastures and crops. (Carr et al., 1992); Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

GROWTH / COMPETITIVE

4. Life form? An erect, biennial sometimes perennial herb. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

5. Allelopathic properties? None described

6. Tolerates herb pressure? Consumed, but not preferred - cattle and horses tend to avoid the plant.. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

7. Normal growth rate? "High early growth rate allows (Paterson' s Curse) to out compete other seedlings". However, growth E. Vulgare assumed not to be > E. plantagineum. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc? Tolerant of moisture stress, frost (occurs in Northern Norway, Sweden, Finland). Water Logging (occurs in riverbeds). (Tanacs & Gulyas, 1986; Web et al., 1988); Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992; Den Viruella floran d/base)

REPRODUCTION

9. Reproductive system? Reproducing by seed (self and cross pollination)(Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992; Melser et al., 1997)

10. Number of propagules produced? Prolific seeder > 30,000 seeds per sq. m. have been measured. Produces 500 to 2000 seeds per plant. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992; Ministry of Agriculture & Food, 1998)

11. Propagule longevity? A small number of seeds remain dormant in the soil for at least 5 years. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

12. Reproductive period? E. plantagineum produces dense monocultures, however unsure if E. vulgare does. (cf. Webb, 1988)

13. Time to reproductive maturity? Most seeds germinate in autumn and winter - flowering commences in early spring. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

DISPERSAL

14. Number of mechanisms? Wool and fur of animals, animals (internal), run-off water, contaminant of hay and grain. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

15. How far do they disperse? See Piggin (1982, p 10 & 11). Dispersal mechanisms described could transport many seeds > 200 metres (see Klemow & Raynal, 1985).

Impact Assessment

RECREATION

1. Restrict human access? "An erect biennial, sometimes perennial, commonly 30 to 60 cm high." It occurs in mallee shrubland and lowland grasslands & grassy woodland. The plant can cause skin irritation and may be a minor annoyance to humans. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001; Muyt, 2001)

2. Reduce tourism? The presence of this weed is obvious to the average visitor particularly during flowering. (Groves et al., 1995)

3. Injurious to people? Similar properties to E. plantagineum. "Some medical practitioners have established a link between the plant and hay fever." "...the rough hairy texture of the leaves and stems causes skin irritation." (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

4. Damage to cultural sites? Dense infestations of the plant would create a moderate negative visual effect.

ABIOTIC

5. Impact flow? Terrestrial species

6. Impact water quality? Terrestrial species

7. Increase soil erosion? Similar properties to E. plantagineum. "...in heavily grazed pasture, [it leaves] bare ground when it dies back in summer." Potential for erosion from both wind and water. (MLRAPCB)

8. Reduce biomass? Invasiveness similar to E. plantagineum. Invader replaces biomass. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

9. Change fire regime? "...it flowers several weeks later than E. plantagineum and flowering extends over a longer period." But similar to E. plantagineum, it leaves little residue after it dries off. No change to fire regime. (Groves et al., 1995; Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

COMMUNITY HABITAT

10(a) Impact on composition of high value EVC? EVC=Grassy woodland (E); CMA=North Central; Bioreg=Goldfields; VH CLIMATE potential. Similar properties to E. plantagineum. Early growth rate out competes other seedlings; rosette leaves shade and smother most other species. Major displacement of ground covers/grasses (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

10(b) Impact on medium value EVC? EVC=Grassy dry forest (D); CMA=Goulburn Broken; Bioreg=Northern Inland Slopes; VH CLIMATE potential. Similar impact as in 10(a) above. Forest canopy cover may limit population density. Major displacement of ground covers/grasses. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

10(c) Impact on low value EVC? EVC=Lowland forest (LC); CMA=Corangamite; Bioreg=Central Victorian Uplands; VH CLIMATE potential. Similar impact as in 10(b) above. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

11. Impact on structure? Properties of Viper's bugloss are similar to Paterson's curse and, "Paterson's curse can form very extensive, persistent populations in disturbed areas, competing vigorously with smaller indigenous plants and impeding overstorey regeneration." Major impact on lower strata. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001; Muyt, 2001)

12. Effect on threatened flora?

FAUNA

13. Effect on threatened fauna?

14. Effect on non-threatened fauna? "[E. vulgare] appears less palatable to stock [than E. plantagineum]." Changes to structure may have minor effect on non-threatened fauna by limiting food source.

15. Benefits fauna? "No documented benefits assume provides no benefits.

16. Injurious to fauna? Similar properties to E. plantagineum. "...presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids contained in the plant cause cumulative chronic liver damage." "Stiff bristles on all parts of mature plants irritate the udders of cows." Potentially toxic; may cause allergies in fauna. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

PEST ANIMAL

17. Food source to pests? Not known as a food source to pest animals.

18. Provides harbor? A biennial. Unlikely to provide permanent harbor for pest animals. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

AGRICULTURE

19. Impact yield? Similar properties to E. plantagineum. "...most graziers argue that the weed's presence reduces both quantity and quality of useful fodder in pastures." However, "...it is less competitive [than E. plantagineum]." (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

20. Impact quality? "...most graziers argue that the weed's presence reduces [the] quality of useful fodder in pastures grazed by sheep." (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

21. Affect land values? Similar properties to E. plantagineum. The cost of control and eradication would add to farm operating costs over several years. Land value may decrease somewhat. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

22. Change land use? Similar properties to E. plantagineum. "Sheep find Paterson's curse more palatable than do cattle and horses." However, "...[E. vulgare] is less competitive [than E. plantagineum]." This may dictate a change in stock until the plant is controlled. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

23. Increase harvest costs? Not known to affect crops or harvesting

24. Disease host/vector? None evident.

Feedback

Do you have additional information about this plant that will improve the quality of the assessment? If so, we would value your contribution.

Assessment ratings originally made by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.

The entry of this assessment was made possible through the generous support of an anonymous donor.

Attachments:

tn_vipers_bugloss_plant.jpg
vipers via ala.JPG
Capture.JPG

referenced by (1)

wra1038: Common Name - V (via vipers bugloss)

Article: wra4 (permalink)
Categories: :wra:e, :wra:inv1, :wra:invh, :wra:inv2, :wra:invmh, :wra:inv3, :wra:inv4, :wra:invl, :wra:inv5, :wra:inv6, :wra:inv7, :wra:inv8, :wra:inv9, :wra:invml, :wra:inv10, :wra:inv11, :wra:inv12, :wra:inv13, :wra:inv14, :wra:inv15, :wra:imp1, :wra:impml, :wra:imp2, :wra:imp3, :wra:impmh, :wra:imp4, :wra:imp5, :wra:impl, :wra:imp6, :wra:imp7, :wra:imp8, :wra:imp9, :wra:imp10a, :wra:imp10b, :wra:imp10c, :wra:imp11, :wra:imp12, :wra:impm, :wra:imp13, :wra:imp14, :wra:imp15, :wra:imph, :wra:imp16, :wra:imp17, :wra:imp18, :wra:imp19, :wra:imp20, :wra:imp21, :wra:imp22, :wra:imp23, :wra:imp24
Date: 13 May 2009; 3:01:31 PM AEST

Author Name: David Low
Author ID: adminDavid