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VIPER’S-BUGLOSS Echium vulgare (Boraginaceae) Height to 80cm. Upright biennial covered in reddish bristles. Grows in dry grassland, mainly on sandy and calcareous soils, often near the coast. FLOWERS are 15-20mm long, funnel-shaped and bright blue with protruding purplish stamens; borne in tall spikes (May-Sep). FRUITS are rough nutlets. LEAVES are narrow and pointed; basal leaves are stalked. STATUS-Widespread and common in England and Wales; scarce elsewhere.