Common Bugloss

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Common Bugloss


	Anchusa officinalis • Class B
	Family Name:	Boraginacea family (Bor-AJ-in-nee-see-ee)
	Common:	Forget-me-not family
	Genus:	Anchusa (an-KOO-suh) Meaning: Plant used for cosmetic; as a rouge perhaps
	Species:	officinalis (oh-fiss-ih-NAH-liss) Meaning: Official - used in pharmacological sense

Description:

This perennial plant ranges from 1 to 2 feet tall, with several flowering stems, bearing fleshy, succulent leaves and stalks which are covered with stiff hairs. The leaves are narrow, slightly pointed and progressively smaller as they grow up the stem. Its small flowers are blue to purple in color with a white center and grow on the end of the stems, blooming from late spring to early fall. Each flower produces a four chambered nutlet, each chamber contains one seed. It has a deep, stout taproot. Common bugloss forms a basal rosette in the first year, and a single flowering stalk the second year. Multiple stalks appear in succeeding years. A single plant may produce up to 900 seeds per year.

Why Is it a Noxious Plant?

The bristly hairs of this plant may cause skin irritation. This plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloid, the same alkaloid found in Tansy Ragwort. In small doses it is used medicinally to treat skin ailments, injuries and ulcers. In larger doses it causes liver damage leading to cirrhosis of the liver. The alkaloid content in Common Bugloss is about .12%, in contrast to Tansy Ragwort which contains between .2 and .3%.

Where Does it Grow?

Prefers sandy gravelly soils. It competes with more desirable vegetation such as native plants and crops. It invades alfalfa fields, pastures, and waste areas. Its fleshy stalks can cause hay bales to mold. Since the seeds of this plant can remain dormant for many years, it can become a persistent weed problem.

Facts:

Common Bugloss is a deep-rooted perennial herb.

Control Options:

The most effective control of Common Bugloss is prevention. Above all, prevent plants from going to seed.

Large, woody tap roots make Common Bugloss very difficult to remove manually. Small infestations can be dug out with a pick or mattock, removing as much root as possible. Be careful to dispose of all the pieces of roots and crown to prevent them from re-establishing.
Spot spraying at bud stage, prior to blooming with an herbicide containing glyphosate or 2, 4 D (such as Weedmaster and many others) works best in controlling Common Bugloss.
There are currently no known biological control agents available for Common Bugloss.
When using herbicides, read and follow all label instructions and obey all label precautions. (Note: pesticide product registration is renewed annually and product names and formulations may vary from year to year.)

More Information:

Download our Flyer or visit Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board Here. Photo by Leo Michels

More Pictures:

Common Bugloss

Anchusa officinalis • Class B

Washington State Weeds