Echium vulgare a biennial that takes on a rosette growth habit during the first year of growth and produces a flowering stem during the second year. Plants are covered with long hairs. The 'dimpled' appearance of the leaves and bright blue to purple flowers helps to distinguish this plant from most other species.
Foliage
Rosette leaves are oblong to lanceolate, 2-6 in. (5.1-15.2 cm) long and up to 1.25 in. (3.2 cm) wide. Rosette leaves narrow to a short petiole. Leaves that occur on the flowering stem are also oblong to lanceolate but do not have petioles. All leaves have white 'speckles' that give the leaves a dimpled appearance and also have relatively long white hairs.
Flowers
Abundant flowers are bright blue to purple in color, approximately 0.31-0.47 (8-12 mm) long. Flowers somewhat resemble a funnel and also have external hairs.
Fruit
Seeds are 0.8-0.12 in. (2-3 mm) long, brownish grey in color, and have a rough texture.
Ecological Threat
Echium vulgare is primarily a weed of pastures, roadsides, and non-crop areas. It is native to Eurasia.