States
North CarolinaTennesseeGeorgiaSouth CarolinaKentuckyAlabamaArkansasFloridaLouisianaMississippiVirginiaWest Virginia
Menu

Common Viper's-bugloss

Echium vulgare

Found in roadsides, dry pastures, disturbed areas. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

-15
Harmful

Not native to West Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height
1–3 feet
Spread
1–1.5 feet
Light
Full sun
Soil moisture
Dry to average

Do not plant. Listed invasive in West Virginia.

At a glance

Life cycle
Annual or biennial
Bloom
June to September

Not yet recorded · Leaves

Recorded in 19 West Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

2CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including WV

Genus host records with ranges including WV · Echium

  • Vanessa carduiPainted Lady, Cosmopolite
  • Vanessa virginiensisAmerican Lady, American Painted Lady
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Boraginaceae
Hardiness
Zones 4a–8b
Soil pH
Acidic to alkaline
Flower color
Blue, pink or red

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Blue Weed; Common Viper's bugloss; Vipers Bugloss

Conservation status

West Virginia rankSNA
Global rankGNR
WV statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources