Syn.: Echium altissimum Jacq., Echium pyramidatum DC.
Family: Boraginaceae Juss.
Distribution: This Eurasian species occurs from Spain and northern Libya through Turkey, Georgia and Ciscaucasia to Syria, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. In Europe northward to southern Slovakia.
Ecology: It grows in dry, more or less open habitats, on sunny slopes and meadows. It blooms from May to June.
Description: Biennial herb, 40–100 cm tall, usually with a single or a dominant flowering stem. Stem erect, unbranched, hispid. Basal leaves lanceolate, 20–35 cm long and 1.5–4 cm wide, with appressed, soft setae; cauline leaves more or less narrowly elliptical. Flowers in bracteate cymes; calyx lobed almost to the base, 6–7 mm; corolla 10–12 mm, narrowly infundibuliform, yellowish-, pinkish- or bluish-white, with 4–5 long-exserted stamens. Nutlets ovoid-trigonous.
Threat and protection: The Italian Bugloss is protected by law in Slovakia.
These images were taken in Slovakia, Burda (May 30, 2008).
