Blue Ridge Parkway Guide by Virtual Blue Ridge Virtual Blue Ridge Home PageOfficial Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation StoreContact UsBlue Ridge Parkway Foundation
Information | Maps | Parkway Tour | Lodging | Activities | Food | Photos | News & Events | Real Estate | Store
You Are Here: Home Page » Parkway Info » Parkway Nature » Wildflowers » Viper's Bugloss

General Description

Uses

Resource Links
 

Wildflowers of the Blue Ridge Parkway - Viper's Bugloss

General Description

Viper's Bugloss is a biennial or monocarpic perennial plant growing to 30-80 cm tall, with rough, hairy, lanceolate leaves. The flowers start pink and turn vivid blue and are 15-20 mm in a branched spike, with all the stamens protruding. Stamens remain red and stand out against the blue flowers. It flowers between May and September. It is found in dry, bare and waste places.

Back to Top

Uses

Viper's bugloss was once considered to be a preventative and remedy for viper bites. In recent times, however, it has fallen out of use, partly due to lack of interest in its medicinal potential and partly to its content of pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are toxic in isolation.

Back to Top

Resource Links

Google Search
 
VBR eNews:
  
Sign up to have Blue Ridge Parkway news delivered to you! Or, follow us on Twitter:
Follow Virtual Blue Ridge on Twitter.
 
  Looking for a vacation cabin rental or hotel?
 
 

Send Us Your Photos
Share your favorite Blue Ridge Parkway photos and stories with fellow Parkway enthusiasts.
 
 

Valle Crucis Log Cabin Rentals along the Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway Store - Books, Videos, Souvenirs and More

Footsloggers Outdoor and Travel Outfitters- Milepost 291 off the Blue Ridge Parkway

Parker the Bear

Action Cycle Sports at Milepost 298 on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Wormy Chestnut Lumber - antique and rustic reclaimed lumber

Foggy Mountain Gem Mine at Milepost 291 on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Advertise Here

 
home | advertise | contact us | blue ridge parkway store | blue ridge parkway foundation                                           ©2000-2010 All Rights Reserved