Paterson’s Curse
Echium plantagineum
Viper’s Bugloss
Echium vulgare
Origin. Europe.
Distribution in Canberra Region. Widespread in riverine areas, grazed pastures, grasslands and disturbed areas.
Dispersal. By wind, water, birds, animals, fodder and machinery.
General Description and Biology
These two species are common important invasive weeds in the Canberra Region.
PC is common in grassland and woodland areas grazed by stock; VB in riparian and disturbed areas.
Both species are erect herbs with coarsely hairy leaves that are ovate in the rosette.
The basal leaves of PC have prominent lateral veins; those of VB do not.
The stem leaves of PC have broad heart-shaped loosely stem-clasping bases; those of VB have narrow bases.
Both have bluish-purple flowers (early spring to late summer), in clusters on multi-branched flower-heads.
Plants grow to 60-90cm and thrive on degraded land.
Seeds germinate after autumn/winter rains; rosettes develop in winter.
Seeds can remain viable for 5 years.
PC can be toxic to livestock.
Control Methods
Manual. Chip rosettes with mattock before flowering, taking care to remove whole root.
If already in flower, seeds may continue to mature after cutting off or simple hoeing, so cut off and bag flowering parts; ensure also to remove whole root from the ground as far as possible, by pulling at base of stem or digging with mattock (but beware of cutting through the root). To facilitate this, if the ground is hard, strike the ground with mattock blade on one side, about 10 cm from the root, then on the opposite side; then pull on the stem(s) at the base. If necessary strike the ground likewise on theright side and on the left as well, then pull the root out.
Disturbance to flowering, by slashing or grazing, stimulates new flowering shoots out of season. .
b. Chemical. . May be sprayed with glyphosate 360, 0.75-1% plus wetting agent, or a specific herbicide – seek advice and help of CNP/CUPP; or wick-wipe rosettes with 1:2 glyphosate in water.
Only trained staff of CNP/CUPP or qualified contractors can use sprays and specific herbicides.
See notes at the end of section on Herbaceous plants: General methods of control.