Photographs: Inchidoney, Co. Cork

Vipers-bugloss Echium vulgare Lus nathrach Family: Boraginaceae Flowering: June-September. Biennial. Native. Pink buds are followed by curved cymes of deep-blue, funnel-shaped flowers with violet anthers. The hairy/bristly leaves are strap-shaped with an obvious mid-vein, lower leaves in a basal rosette, the upper leaves unstalked. Erect stems with reddish bristles. Height to 80cm. Rare on well-drained sandy or chalky soils on dunes, cliffs and grassland Similar: Bugloss, Anchusa arvensis is much smaller

Viper's-bugloss, Echium vulgare, Lus nathrach