Echium plantagineum
BORAGINACEAE
Paterson’s Curse, Salvation Jane
Native to Mediterranean Europe & Nth Africa. Introduced into Australia as a garden ornamental & accidentally released in the 1850s & was showing potential as a major weed by 1890.
Prolific seeder, producing more than 10,000 seeds per plant a year, with seed soil life of 5 years.
Occurs in disturbed sites in all states of Australia.
Seeds may germinate at anytime of the year, mainly after Summer or Autumn rains, producing a rosette, of green hairy egg shaped leaves that may grow to 15cm long, they may have stem leaves which are smaller than the base rosette leaves. Stems may be 60 to 150cm tall.
Predominately noticeable when it comes into flower, Sept to December. Purple occasionally white or blue, curved trumpet, 2 to 3 cm long borne on a branched spike. Up to 4 seeds per flower.
Extensive widespread infestations of pastoral regions, natural vegetated sites & will pop up in gardens.
Great for bees but it is toxic to most grazing animals especially cattle & horses less so sheep.
Grazing by sheep after a suitable herbicide application proves the most effective control method but this must be done for a prolonged period.