Pollinator plant

viper's-bugloss

Echium vulgare

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Common names

55 names · 35 languages
EnglishYour language
+13 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (34)
Dutch
French
Afrikaans
  • blou Echium[2]
  • Blou-echium[2]
Asturian
Belarusian
  • Сіняк звычайны[2]
Bulgarian
  • Обикновено усойниче[2]
Catalan
  • Llengua de bou[2]
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Croatian
  • Obična lisičina[2]
Czech
  • hadinec obecný[2]
Danish
  • Slangehoved[2]
Estonian
  • harilik ussikeel[2]
Finnish
  • kyläneidonkieli[2]
German
  • Gewöhnlicher Natternkopf[1][2]
Greek
  • Βοϊδόγλωσσα[2]
Hungarian
  • Terjőke kígyószisz[2]
Italian
Japanese
  • シベナガムラサキ[2]
Latvian
  • Parastais daglītis[2]
Lithuanian
  • Paprastasis ežeinis[2]
Norwegian
Polish
  • Żmijowiec zwyczajny[2]
Portuguese
Romanian
  • Iarba șarpelui[2]
Russian
  • Румянка синяя[2]
  • Синяк обыкновенный[2]
Slovak
  • hadinec obyčajný[2]
Slovenian
  • navadni gadovec[2]
Sotho
  • bohomenyana[2]
Spanish
Swedish
Turkish
  • engerekotu[2]
Ukrainian
  • Синяк звичайний[2]
Welsh
Sources & name notes (6)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Echium vulgare — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • viper's-bugloss — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Gewöhnlicher Natternkopf — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Blue echium — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Blueweed — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • common viper's bugloss — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • common viper's-bugloss — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • viper's bugloss — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Viborera — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Vipérine commune — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Vipérine vulgaire — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Erba viperina — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • viperina azzurra — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Slangenkruid — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Soagem — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • soagem-do-nordeste — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
[2] Echium vulgare — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • viper's-bugloss — results[3].names[1]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Gewöhnlicher Natternkopf — results[3].names[3]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Blue echium — results[3].names[33]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Blueweed — results[3].names[5]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • common viper's bugloss — results[3].names[15]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • common viper's-bugloss — results[3].names[46]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • viper's bugloss — results[3].names[6]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Viborera — results[3].names[16]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Vipérine commune — results[3].names[10]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Vipérine vulgaire — results[3].names[12]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Erba viperina — results[3].names[34]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • viperina azzurra — results[3].names[9]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Slangenkruid — results[3].names[2]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Soagem — results[3].names[28]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • soagem-do-nordeste — results[3].names[42]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • kyläneidonkieli — results[3].names[7]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Синяк обыкновенный — results[3].names[8]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Llengua de bou — results[3].names[11]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Blåeld — results[3].names[13]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Żmijowiec zwyczajny — results[3].names[14]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • hadinec obecný — results[3].names[17]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • 蓝蓟 — results[3].names[18]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Slangehoved — results[3].names[19]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • harilik ussikeel — results[3].names[20]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • ormehode — results[3].names[21]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Cordielha — results[3].names[22]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Обикновено усойниче — results[3].names[23]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Paprastasis ežeinis — results[3].names[24]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • シベナガムラサキ — results[3].names[25]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Terjőke kígyószisz — results[3].names[26]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • hadinec obyčajný — results[3].names[27]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • 藍薊 — results[3].names[29]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Βοϊδόγλωσσα — results[3].names[30]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Синяк звичайний — results[3].names[31]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Румянка синяя — results[3].names[32]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Сіняк звычайны — results[3].names[35]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Blou-echium — results[3].names[36]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • blou Echium — results[3].names[37]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • bohomenyana — results[3].names[38]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • navadni gadovec — results[3].names[39]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Parastais daglītis — results[3].names[40]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Iarba șarpelui — results[3].names[41]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • engerekotu — results[3].names[43]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Gwiberlys — results[3].names[44]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
  • Obična lisičina — results[3].names[45]; taxon id 56174; Echium vulgare.
[3] Echium vulgare — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Adderwort — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Echium vulgare.
  • Blue Devil — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Echium vulgare.
  • Blue Thistle — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Echium vulgare.
  • Blueweed — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Echium vulgare.
  • Bugloss — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Echium vulgare.
  • Cat's Tail — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(6); heading: Common Name(s):; Echium vulgare.
  • North American Blueweed — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(7); heading: Common Name(s):; Echium vulgare.
  • Snake Flower — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(8); heading: Common Name(s):; Echium vulgare.
  • Viper's Bugloss — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(9); heading: Common Name(s):; Echium vulgare.
  • Viper's Grass — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(10); heading: Common Name(s):; Echium vulgare.
  • Viper's Herb — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(11); heading: Common Name(s):; Echium vulgare.
[4] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • viper’s bugloss — Page 1, column 2, row top 742 pt; common-name cell after Echium vulgare.; Echium vulgare.
[5] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • viper’s bugloss — Page 3, column 1, row top 307 pt; common-name cell after Echium vulgare.; Echium vulgare.
[6] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • viper’s bugloss — Page 3, column 2, row top 457 pt; common-name cell after Echium vulgare.; Echium vulgare.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Echium vulgare is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Boraginaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
0.3–0.91 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.3–0.46 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Clumping; Dense; Erect

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Annual; Biennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Medium

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Occasionally Dry

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; Sand; Shallow Rocky

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Autumn; Spring; Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Native range
Southern Europe to North West Asia

NC State Extension profile. Origin reported by the source; this is not a claim of local nativeness.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Echium vulgare in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [3] [4] [5]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Medium suitability
Nectar value Medium
Pollen value Medium
Plant profile

About this plant

viper's-bugloss (Echium vulgare) is a herbaceous plant. It flowers from May to September.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Echium vulgare — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 146714; ID 38MH4; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 146714; ID 38MH4; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Echium vulgare — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonNative rangeReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Native range: Country Or Region Of Origin
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Wildflowers

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 3, column 1, entry Echium vulgare (top 307 pt)

    Source checked on .

  4. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Garden Plants

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 3, column 2, entry Echium vulgare (top 457 pt)

    Source checked on .

  5. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Plants Of The World

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 1, column 2, entry Echium vulgare (top 742 pt)

    Source checked on .