Echium vulgare

Viper's-bugloss - Echium vulgare growing amongst the ruined walls of Helmsley Castle in Yorkshire

Vipers-bugloss is a very handsome plant that makes a splash of blue. The flowers are pink in bud, but vivid blue when open. The plant was once used as a cure for snake-bite, hence its common name.

Back in Lundin Links it was growing beside the sandy path through the Massney Braes. It likes a light sandy soil so thrives in coastal regions.

The stamens of the flower are bright red and the stem is covered in rough hairs. Can also see the two lobed stigma in the open flower to the left of the above photo. (Click to enlarge)

Echium is very attractive to bees and other insects.