When my flowers bloom my stems will uncoil;
I’ve also got roots that reach deep into soil.
I’m not very tall but you better beware
‘cause I’m covered in coarse, prickly hair!
I Spy in the Sea to Sky…
This plant has striking blue-purple flowers, is native to the Mediterranean region, and is naturalized in Europe. Can you guess what it is?
It’s Common Bugloss (Anchusa officinalis)! It flowers from June to August, and likes dry areas with lots of sun. Watch out for it near roadsides, cultivated fields, and rangelands. Common Bugloss is a high-priority plant in the Sea to Sky. We aim to eradicate it from the region, as per SSISC’s priority plant species list. It is also one of Pemberton’s Most Wanted.
Common Bugloss can be easily identified by several distinctive features:
- Bright blue to purple tubular flowers with 5 tooth-shaped petals.
- Coarsely hairy stems that grow 30 – 80 cm tall (about as tall as your mid-thigh).
- Succulent, fleshy leaves that are 6 – 20 cm long (just a tad bigger than your palm).
- A long, deep taproot that can produce a purplish dye.
What should I do if I see Common Bugloss?
Common Bugloss has a limited distribution in the Sea to Sky, so sightings are relatively uncommon. If you see this species, the first thing you can do is report the sighting to SSISC.
If it is growing on your property, you can dig it out with a shovel, but ensure that the taproot is cut below the crown or it may grow back. Be sure to wear gloves, as the coarse hairs of Common Bugloss can be irritating to the skin. Lastly, please don’t dig up any plants growing on private land without the owner’s permission!
Common Bugloss is a high-priority plant in Pemberton due to its potential to cause harm to livestock and farmland. Did you know this invasive spoils alfalfa hay because its succulent leaves and stems cause the hay to mould?
Why is Common Bugloss such a concern in the Sea to Sky?
Common Bugloss is a toxic plant with no natural predators in our area. It spreads primarily by seed, but will also propagate vegetatively by root fragments. One plant can produce over 900 seeds annually, which can remain viable in the soil for many years, making this plant quite an aggressive spreader!
Humans can also contribute to its spread by moving contaminated hay, soil or gravel to new locations. Be sure to check your materials for seed and plant parts before moving them to reduce the spread of invasive species!
Common Bugloss is toxic to humans and livestock due to pyrrolizidine alkaloids present in the plant, which pose a big threat to livestock in the Sea to Sky. It invades fields and pastures, reducing biodiversity as well as reducing the yield of crops for farmers.
If you want to know what you can do to help, read more about Common Bugloss on its species profile page.
I Spy in the Sea to Sky Contest
Guess the invasive species in our I Spy in the Sea to Sky weekly social media post, June through August, to enter our giveaway.
At the end of each month, one lucky commenter will win a native wildflower seed mix packet! Follow us and comment on social media to participate!
CONTEST RULES:
- Comment your guess (common or species name) on the social media post (on Instagram or Facebook) to enter. Only correct guesses will qualify you for the giveaway.
- One entry per person per post.
- Anyone can play, but only Sea to Sky region residents can win.
- Entries will close at 11:59 PM PST on June 30th, 2024.
- Winners will be announced in the first week of July in an Instagram story AND contacted directly via their platform of entry.
Add Comment