Echium Plantagineum in Australia

Echium Plantagineum In Australia

Paterson's Curse (Echium plantagineum or Purple Viper's Bugloss) is an invasive plant species in Australia.

It is also known as Salvation Jane (particularly in South Australia). Other names are Blueweed, Lady Campbell Weed or Riverina Bluebell. The name Salvation Jane comes from South Australia. In times of drought, many of the State's grazing pastures died off and due to its drought hardiness, Echium was used a source of food for grazing animals, hence the name Salvation Jane.

Three other Echium species have been introduced and are of concern; Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare) is the most common of them. Viper's Bugloss is biennial, with a single unbranched flowering stem and smaller, more blue flowers, but is otherwise similar. This species is also useful for honey production.

Paterson's Curse has positive uses — it is the source for a particularly fine grade of honey. As a fodder plant, with proper handling, it can be valuable fodder over summer for cattle and sheep, but not livestock without ruminant digestive systems.