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Volume IV (1988) - Flora of New Zealand Naturalised Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Dicotyledons
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Echium L.

ECHIUM L.

Annual, biennial or perennial, sometimes monocarpic, herbs or shrubs, ± hispid with bulbous-based hairs. Infl. usually paniculate, composed of bracteate cymes, sometimes up to several m high. Calyx 5-lobed, divided nearly to base, usually accrescent. Corolla narrowly to broadly funnelform, usually blue to purple, sometimes white or pink; limb oblique and ± zygomorphic; base of tube with minute scales, tufts of hair or with a membrane; throat lacking scales. Stamens unequal, exserted or partly included, inserted below middle of corolla tube. Style exserted; stigma capitate or 2-fid. Nutlets ovoid, slightly 3-angled, erect, rugose; base flat.

Key

1
Branched or simple-stemmed herbs, < 1 m high
2
Branched shrubs or simple-stemmed herbs, 1-5 m high, if herbs then monocarpic and woody at base
3
2
Upper cauline lvs rounded at base; 4 stamens long- exserted
4. *vulgare
Upper cauline lvs ± cordate at base; 2 stamens long-exserted
3. *plantagineum
3
Shrub; infl. < 1 m high
1. *candicans
Giant monocarpic herb, woody at base; infl. > 2 m high
2. *pininana

c. 40 spp., Europe, W. Asia, N. and South Africa, Macaronesia. Naturalised spp. 4.

Fls of all Echium spp. are illustrated in Fig. 41.

Fig. 41. Fls of Echium. A-B E. candicans, A lateral view, B front view; C-D E. pininana, C lateral view, D front view; E E. plantagineum, lateral view; F-G E. vulgare, F lateral view, G front view. © All rights reserved. [Image: 4X50]
Fig. 41. Fls of Echium. A-B E. candicans, A lateral view, B front view; C-D E. pininana, C lateral view, D front view; E E. plantagineum, lateral view; F-G E. vulgare, F lateral view, G front view. © All rights reserved. [Image: 4X50]
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