Description and Variation:  Common bugloss is a perennial herb with a deep taproot. The plant ranges from one to two feet tall, with several flowering stems. The stems and leaves are fleshy, and the overall plant is coarsely hairy. The basal leaves are petiolate (have a leaf stalk), and are narrowly oblong. The leaves along the plant stem are narrow and slightly pointed, with a short petiole. The leaves are progressively smaller up the stem, and the upper leaves are sessile (no petiole), or clasping. The blue to purple flowers have white throats. The petals are five equal lobes, forming an uncurved tube. The flowers are found in cymes, or helicoid clusters, at the end of the stems. As the flowers open, these coils unfold and straighten out. The fruit is a four chambered nutlet; each nutlet contains one seed.

Comparison between two bugloss species in Washington

Economic Importance:  Common bugloss invades alfalfa fields, pastures, and waste areas. The fleshy stalks can cause hay bales to mold.

Geographical Distribution:  Common bugloss is native to Europe.

Habitat:  Common bugloss grows in the sandy, gravelly, glacial outwash soils of north central Spokane County.

History:  Common bugloss has spread from about 14 square miles of infested area in 1980 to about 200 square miles of infested area in 1987. It is common in the Mead area north of Spokane. The heaviest infestation is here and it thins out as it extends to Elk in the north, the Long Lake Road area to the west, Spangle to the south, and Fancher Road to the east.

Growth and Development:  Common bugloss is a perennial plant and appears in its first season as a rosette of basal leaves. The second year of growth, a flower stalk appears. In following years multiple stalks arise from a single taproot.

Reproduction:  Common bugloss spreads by seed.

Response to Herbicides:  Common bugloss is susceptible to phenoxy herbicides prior to flowering. The rough, hairy surface requires a surfactant for effective control. Read and follow current herbicide labels and recommendations for control.

Response to Cultural Methods:  No information.

Biocontrol Potentials:  No information.

Hitchcock, C.L. and A. Cronquist. 1973. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press. Seattle and London. p. 387.

Hitchcock, C.L. and A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey and J.W. Thompson. 1959. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press. Seattle and London. Vol. 4., P 183 and 188.

Roche’, C. 1992. Small bugloss (Anchusa arvensis). Pacific Northwest Extension Publication. PNW415. Washington, Idaho, Oregon.

Washington State University Cooperative Extension - Spokane County. Noxious Weed Facts: Common Bugloss

This page was last updated 03/31/07