Echium plantagineum

Echium plantagineum
In Portugal
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Boraginales
Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Echium
Species: E. plantagineum
Binomial name
Echium plantagineum
L.

Echium plantagineum, commonly known as purple viper's-bugloss[1] or Paterson's curse, is a species of Echium native to western and southern Europe (from southern England south to Iberia and east to the Crimea), northern Africa, and southwestern Asia (east to Georgia).[2][3] It has also been introduced to Australia, South Africa and United States, where it is an invasive weed. Due to a high concentration of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, it is poisonous to grazing livestock, especially those with simple digestive systems, like horses. The toxins accumulate in the liver, and death results from too much Paterson's curse in the diet.

Description

Echium plantagineum is a winter annual plant growing to 20–60 cm tall, with rough, hairy, lanceolate leaves up to 14 cm long. The flowers are purple, 15–20 mm long, with all the stamens protruding, and borne on a branched spike.[4][5]

Invasive species

In Adelaide, South Australia

Echnium plantagineum has become an invasive species in Australia, where it is also known as Salvation Jane (particularly in South Australia), blueweed, Lady Campbell weed, and Riverina bluebell.

In the United States the species has become naturalised in parts of California, Oregon, and some eastern states and areas such as northern Michigan.[6] In Oregon it has been declared a noxious weed.[7]

Medical research

In a study funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the seeds were found to lower triglycerides. Researchers at Wake Forest University and the Harvard Center for Botanical Lipids fed mice a diet supplemented with echium oil and found that it had effects similar to fish oil in lowering triglyceride levels in blood plasma and the liver.[8]

Cosmetics

Echium oil contains high levels of alpha linolenic acid (ALA), gamma linolenic acid (GLA), and stearidonic acid (SDA), making it valuable in cosmetic and skin care applications, with further potential as an alternative to dietary fish oils.[9]

Toxicity

Echium plantagineum contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids and is poisonous.[10] When eaten in large quantities, it causes reduced livestock weight and death, in severe cases. Paterson's curse can kill horses[11] and irritate the udders of dairy cows and the skin of humans. After the 2003 Canberra bushfires a large bloom of the plant occurred on the burned land, and many horses became ill and died from grazing on it.[12] Because the alkaloids can also be found in the nectar of Paterson's curse, the honey made from it should be blended with other honeys to dilute the toxins.

References

  1. ↑ "BSBI List 2007". Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-01-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  2. ↑ Echium plantagineum. Flora Europaea.
  3. ↑ Echium plantagineum. Germplasm Resources Information Network.
  4. ↑ Blamey, M. & C. Grey-Wilson. Flora of Britain and Northern Europe. 1989. ISBN 0-340-40170-2
  5. ↑ Piggin, C. M. & A. W. Sheppard. (1995). Echium plantagineum L. In: Groves, R. H., R. C. H. Shepherd, and R. G. Richardson, (eds.) The Biology of Australian Weeds Vol 1. R. G. and F. J. Richardson, Melbourne. pp 87-110.
  6. ↑ "Paterson's Curse Echium plantagineum in the Pacific Northwest" (PDF). Oregon State University. October 2007. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
  7. ↑ "Paterson's Curse". Oregon Department of Agriculture. February 12, 2008. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  8. ↑ Echium Oil Reduces Triglyceride Levels in Mice. Research Spotlight. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). 2012.
  9. ↑ National Non-Food Crops Centre. NNFCC Crop Factsheet: Echium
  10. ↑ The MERCK Veterinary Manual, Table 5
  11. ↑ Patersons Curse and Horse Health
  12. ↑ Paterson's curse poisoning in horses. Animal Health Surveillance Quarterly Report 8(4) Oct-Dec 2003.
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