Quick Facts

Quick facts

• Italian Bugloss (Echium italicum) is a biennial or perennial herb growing to 80 cm high, densely covered with stiff hairs and bearing yellowish-white flowers.
• It is an uncommon weed with a limited distribution in New South Wales and South Australia.
• Dispersal occurs by seed which is spread mainly by water, but also in soil, fodder, vehicles and farm equipment.
• Italian Bugloss can be toxic to livestock like the related Paterson's Curse.

What Does It Look Like?

What is it?

Italian Bugloss (Echium italicum) is a biennial or perennial herb that grows up to 80 cm high. The plant usually consists of a single, unbranched flowering stem, although it can sometimes be branched. The stems and leaves are densely covered in stiff, yellowish-white hairs and sometimes a layer of softer, shorter hairs. The basal leaves are long and narrow (up to 35 cm long and up to 4 cm wide). The stem leaves are smaller than the basal leaves.

The tubular flowers, up to 12 mm long, are yellowish-white. Each flower has five stamens that protrude out of the flower tube.

The seeds are whitish-grey, 2-3.5 mm long and rough on the outside. Up to four seeds are produced from each flower (Piggin 1977; Wilson 1992).

For further information and assistance with identification of Italian Bugloss contact the herbarium in your state or territory.

Flower colour

Yellow, White

Growth form (weed type/habit)

Herb

Where it currently grows? Preferred habitat

Italian Bugloss is a weed of temperate regions where it inhabits pastures, crops, roadsides and waste areas (Navie 2004).

Are there similar species?

Paterson's Curse (Echium plantagineum) and Viper's Bugloss (Echium vulgare) are related species that may be confused with Italian Bugloss. Italian Bugloss can be readily distinguished as it has a yellowish-white flower compared to the purple or deep blue flowers of the other two species (Piggin 1977; Wilson 1992).

Why Is It A Weed?

What are its impacts?

Agriculture: Like the related Paterson's Curse, Italian Bugloss can be toxic to stock (Maham et al. 2003). 2003).

How does it spread?

Seeds of Italian Bugloss spread in the same manner as other similar weedy members of the Boraginaceae family such as Paterson's Curse (Echium plantagineum) and Yellow Burr Weeds (Amsinckia species). The sole means of reproduction of Italian Bugloss is via the production of seed. The seed of these species spreads by water, especially where plants grow in riparian habitats and on steep terrain where erosion and run-off occurs. Contaminated soil, fodder, vehicles and cultivation equipment are also significant vectors for seed transport to new sites. Seeds may also be readily dispersed along roadsides during roadside maintenance works. Dispersal via contaminated agricultural produce is also a potential means of spread (Baker 2008 pers. comm.).

What is its history in Australia?

Italian Bugloss was first collected from Corowa in New South Wales in 1914 (Piggin 1977). In South Australia, it was first collected at Caloote and Palmer Hill in 1909, while earlier records suggest it was being cultivated at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens in 1859 (Piggin 1977).

How To Manage It?

Best practice management

Non-chemical control: Physical control: Small infestations and single plants of Italian Bugloss can be controlled by hand removal, care should be taken to remove all roots otherwise plants may regenerate.

Chemical control: Larger infestations can be sprayed with registered herbicide. In agricultural situations, control can be achieved through an integrated approach using competitive pastures, grazing management, manual control and herbicides (Anon 2008a). Control should be undertaken on young plants before flowering commences (Anon 2008b).

Small infestations and single plants of Italian Bugloss can be controlled by hand removal, care should be taken to remove all roots otherwise plants may regenerate. Larger infestations can be sprayed with registered herbicide. In agricultural situations, control can be achieved through an integrated approach using competitive pastures, grazing management, manual control and herbicides (Anon 2008a). Control should be undertaken on young plants before flowering commences (Anon 2008b).

Does it have a biological control agent?

NO

When does it grow? (lifecycle/growth calendar)

Italian Bugloss flowers from spring to summer (Harden 2007).

Where Is It Found?

Which states and territories is it found?

NSW, SA

What areas within states and territories is it found?

In Australia, Italian Bugloss is considered to be a rare weed (Auld & Medd 1987, Parsons & Cuthbertson 2001). In New South Wales, it has been recorded from the Central and South Western Slopes and the South Western Plains regions (Wilson 1992). In South Australia it is found, but not commonly, in the Mount Lofty Ranges and other areas (Parsons and Cuthbertson 2001). It is not considered naturalised in Victoria (Walsh & Satjsic 2007).

Where does it originate?

Italian Bugloss is native throughout Europe, around the Mediterranean Sea in western Asia, northern Africa, and throughout south-west Russia (Piggin 1977).

National And State Weed Listings

Is it a Weed of National Significance (WONS)?

NO

Where is it a declared weed?

NSW, WA

Government weed strategies and lists – Weeds Australia

Is it on the National Alert List for Environmental Weeds?

NO

Government weed strategies and lists – Weeds Australia

Is it on the Agricultural Sleeper List?

NO

Government weed strategies and lists – Weeds Australia

Names And Taxonomy

Main scientific name

Echium italicum

Other scientific names (synonyms)?