Species of Echium are native to North Africa, mainland Europe to Central Asia, and the Macaronesian islands where the genus reaches its maximum diversity. Twenty-nine species of Echium are endemic to the Canary, Madeira, and Cape Verde archipelagos.[3] The continental species are herbaceous, whereas many of the endemic species of the Macaronesian islands are woody perennial shrubs.[4]
Etymology
The Latin genus name Echium comes from the Greekἔχιονechion, referring to Echium plantagineum[5] and itself deriving from ἔχιςechis (viper); the Greek term dates to Dioscorides, who noted a resemblance between the shape of the nutlets and a viper's head.[6] The genus Echium was published by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.
Cultivation and uses
Many species are used as ornamental and garden plants and may be found in suitable climates throughout the world.[1] In Crete, Echium italicum is called pateroi (πάτεροι) or voidoglosses (βοϊδόγλωσσες) and its tender shoots are eaten boiled or steamed.[7]
In some countries Echium extract has been used as cure for various diseases and is believed to have beneficial properties.
Echium seed oil
The seed oil from E. plantagineum contains high levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), gamma-linolenic acid, and stearidonic acid, making it valuable in cosmetic and skin-care applications, with further potential as a functional food, as an alternative to fish oils.[8] However, despite its high ALA content, Echium seed oil does not increase docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid levels.[9]
Invasiveness
Some species have been widely naturalized in Mediterranean climates, including South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of South America and the United States. For example, Echium plantagineum has become a major invasive species in Australia.[10]
^ a b c d"Echium Tourn. ex L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^Sunset Western Garden Book. Sunset Books. 1995. pp. 606–607. ISBN 9780376038500.
^da Costa, Ricardo Pires (2019). The pollinator community of the Madeiran endemic Echium candicans: individual-based network metrics, relation with plant traits, and pollinator behaviour (PDF) (Master's thesis). University of Lisbon.
^Pusateri, William P.; Blackwell, Jr., Will H. (December 1979). "The Echium vulgare Complex in Eastern North America". Castanea. 44 (4): 223–229. JSTOR 4033180 – via JSTOR.
^Stavridakis, Kleonikos G. (2006). Η Άγρια βρώσιμη χλωρίδα της Κρήτης [Wild Edible Plants of Crete] (in English and Greek) (Bilingual ed.). ISBN 9789606311796.
^"Echium Crop Fact Sheet". nlaf.uk. June 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
^Lane, Katie E.; Wilson, Megan; Hellon, Teuta G.; Davies, Ian G. (February 12, 2021). "Bioavailability and conversion of plant based sources of omega-3 fatty acids – a scoping review to update supplementation options for vegetarians and vegans". Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 62 (18): 4982–4997. doi:10.1080/10408398.2021.1880364. PMID 33576691. S2CID 231899843.
