Patersons' Curse
Echium plantagineum
Common Names:
Paterson’s Curse, Salvation Jane, and Riverina
Bluebell
Impact:
Paterson’s Curse is poisonous to grazing
animals. It can cause chronic liver damage and
death to susceptible animals. Paterson’s Curse
is a prolific seed producer enabling rapid
spread and displacement of pasture, range and
desirable plants. It is a threat to native
habitat with the potential to invade oak
woodland, native prairie, and dry upland slops.
First detected in 2003 in Linn County, a second
site was confirmed in Douglas County in 2004.
Both Oregon sites are under intensive
treatment.
Description:
An
erect annual or biennial, generally 1-3 feet
tall. Plants are often multi-branched with an
abundance of stout hairs on stem and leaves.
Stems erect, light-green, bristly, stout,
branching mainly towards the top. Leaves are
green to light-green, alternate, hairy, thick
and fleshy. Flowers most often blue-purple in
color, but may be pink or white. Curved
flowering spikes unroll, producing blossoms.
Blooming often starts in June and continues
through the summer and fall.
Dispersal:
Seeds are spread by vehicles, farm implements,
humans, animals, water, wind, hay, silage, and
as a contaminant of commercial seed. Has been
found in wildflower mixes in Oregon.
Please report suspect sites or finds to:
Oregon
Department of Agriculture, Noxious Weed Control
Program
503-986-4621 * 1-866-INVADER
