Viper's Bugloss

Also known as Bugles, Wild Borage, Snake Flower, Blue Devil, Blueweed, Viper's Grass and Snake Flower.

From the family Boraginaceae.

Originally from the Mediterranean region it is now widespread throughout the northern hemisphere. It is regarded as a weed in some parts of America and some farmers consider it a plague. The common name developed from the medival Doctrine of Signatures, which ordained that a plant's use should be inferred from its appearance. It was noticed that the brown stem looked rather like a snakeskin and that the seed is shaped like a viper's head. So, in their wisdom they prescribed it for viper bites, which for once proved right; it did have some success in the treatment of the spotted viper's bite.

Gather flowers in summer for fresh use. If you do not want the seed, remove the flowers as they die so they cannot self-seed.

The flowers look very attractive in salads and they can also be crystallized.

A red colouring substance can be extracted from the root.