Echium creticum L.

Spice Imatge al camp

Family: BORAGINACEAE

Genus: Echium

Catalan common name: Viperina.

Spanish common name: Chupamiel velloso. Lengua de buey. Rabo de gato. Viborera.

Province distribution: Alacant. Barcelona. Girona. Tarragona. València.

General distribution (Phytogeography): West Mediterranean

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones.

Characteristics: Road borders, wastelands, cultivated fields, and dry and sunny places. An erect herb with ovate-oblong basal and pinnatinervate leaves, some 6-18 cm; the upper leaves are smaller and attenuate at the base. The inflorescence is spiciforme and ± conical. The corolla is pubescent, a vivid purplish red and much longer than wide. 1-2 stamens are exserted.