Anchusa arvensis explained

Anchusa arvensis is a species of flowering plant in the borage family Boraginaceae. Its common names include bugloss, small bugloss, annual bugloss, and field bugloss.[1]

Description

This is a coarsely hairy annual herb which may reach half a meter in height. It bears small blue tubular flowers, four nutlets per flower, and one seed per nutlet. Leaves are very bristly and warty-looking, which differentiates it from similar species like Pentaglottis sempervirens and Myosotis arvensis.

Distribution and Habitat

The plant is native to Europe, and is introduced in North America.[2]

Anchusa arvensis is found in arable field margins, sandy heaths, disturbed ground.[3]

In the UK it is a declining species with patchy distribution,[4] however conservation status as of 2005 is least concern.[5]

Anchusa arvensis flowers April to September in the UK.[4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bugloss . Wild Flower Web . 10 November 2023.
  2. https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=ANAR16
  3. https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/bugloss Nature Spot - Bugloss
  4. https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/bugloss Nature Spot - Bugloss
  5. http://lantlife.love-wildflowers.org.uk/uploads/documents/England_threatened_arable_plants_intro_2015.pdf Plantlife - England's Important Arable Plants