Borage Jfamili?. 



Blue Weed. Echium vulgare. 



Viper's Bugloss. 

 Blue Thistle (Vt.). 



Found in July, in pastures chiefly, though occasionally straying 

 along country roads. 



The stalk, from 3 to 4 or 5 feet in height, is large, and strong ; it 

 is branching with short stems which diminish as they near the top ; the 

 fibre is coarse, it is roughened with hairs, and its light gi-een color is 

 frequently dotted with rusty-purple freckles. 



The lower leaves are very long and narrow, occasionally cut or 

 rudely notched on the edge, while the j)ointed upper leaves are entire ; 

 the texture is coarse, and rough to the touch ; the color is green. The 

 arrangement is alternate. 



The flower is an irregular vase-shape, spreading into 5 rounding 

 divisions of unequal length, with a very small, green, 5-parted calyx; 

 the corolla is a bright deep blue, the 4 stamens and the pistil are rose- 

 colored. Several flowers are set in a single row along the upper side 

 of a short stem, which is coiled tightly at first, but straightens itself as 

 the rose-colored buds expand. Many of these stems form a large and 

 conspicuous terminal spike ; and singly grow from the upper branches. 



It is ^ pity this striking plant should have invaded the farmers' 

 pastures in such bold colonies as to be reckoned by him a pest, and so 

 uprooted, for absolute blue flowers are rare. It deserves especial regard 

 because of its unusual coloi- combination of ultramarine and rose. The 

 "spotted stem made men once think it efficacious for cure of viper's 

 bites, and its seeds, shaped like a viper's head, confirmed the notion." 



442 



