Viper's Bugloss

Here is another wildflower that springs up abundantly every year on the nearby field margins. The dry, sandy soil and grass margins provide the ideal conditions for Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare). The flowers are a deep metallic blue with a hint of purple. The vibrancy doesn't quite show up in a phone photo.

 

Viper's Bugloss is in the same group of plants as borage, also with deep blue flowers. We have plenty of borage which freely self seeds and can be invasive. However, it is easy to control. Famous for its attraction to bees. I saw some Buff Tailed bees foraging on these Viper's Bugloss too.

The term bugloss comes from Greek for ox tongue and refers to the rough,  hairy leaves of the plants. The viper I am not sure about. Perhaps its the style extending beyond the petals terminating with a forked stigma resembling a snake tongue.