Echium plantagineumCommon name: Paterson’s Curse

Meaning of name: Echium is from the Greek word echion, the name used by Dioscorides for this plant. Plantagineum is named after the genus Plantago.

Distribution: Occurs from Kalbarri to the south coast and well inland.

Description: An erect herb to 1 metre tall. The purple flowers are produced from September to November.

Notes: Paterson’s curse is a declared plant meaning that landholders are required by law to control this plant on their land. A native of southern Europe.

References: Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings, a Glossary. FA Sharr. 1996.

Western Weeds, A Guide to the Weeds of Western Australia. BMJ Hussey, GJ Keighery, J Dodd, SG Lloyd, RD Cousens. 1997.
Flora of the Perth Region. NG Marchant, JR Wheeler, BL Rye, EM Bennett, NS Lander, TD Macfarlane. 1987.