Paterson's curse

Family: Boraginaceae
Scientific name: Echium plantagineum
Description: Plant Form: Erect annual herb. Size: Up to 1.5 m tall. Stem: Several green hairy erect flowering stems per plant. Leaves: Egg shaped hairy up to 30 cm long in rosette at base, stem leaves smaller and narrower, also hairy. Flowers: Usually purple, but also blue or white. 2-3 cm long. Trumpet shaped with 5 stamens, 2 of which protrude out of flower. Fruit and Seeds: Dark brown or grey with roughened coat. Up to 4 per flower. Habitat: Can grow almost anywhere in Australia. Prefers winter-rainfall areas. Roadsides and agricultural areas. Distinguishing Features: Similar to Vipers bugloss (Echium vulgare) but has fewer stamens protruding outside the flower. Weed Status: Priority Weed Weed Type: Environmental, Agricultural, Invasive Garden Escapee Lifeform: Herbaceous

Example images for this weed