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Echium candicans L.f  =Echium fastuosum Jacq.   Boraginaceae (Borage Family)   Canary Islands   Pride of Madeira

                                          May Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Shrubby branching plant 3-6 ft. high, whitish with short fine hairs; lvs. lanceolate, acuminate, nervose; infl. cylindric and spike-like, consisting of numerous densely fld. coiled one sided spikelets; buds pink, fls. purple or dark blue, about 1/2 in. long; stamens red, long exserted.

Habitat:  Cultivated banks, dry areas.  Domestic plant.  Bloom period not listed in Bailey.

Name:  Greek, Ech-ium, a viper.  From the nutlet shape, which resembles a viper's head. (Hickman, Ed. 378).  Latin, fastus, pride.  (Jaeger 101).    Latin, candicans, white. (Jaeger 45).

General:  Uncommon in the study area.  There are several large plants on the bluffs at the north end of Eastbluff.  The specimen in the photographs, which was at nearly marsh level and just above the old Salt Works dike, is now gone.   As of 1999, this plant is appearing in more and more locations such as lower and upper Big Canyon and the marshy area along the storm drain exit from Eastbluff North. (my comments).       Fred Roberts in his second edition of A Checklist of the Vascular Plants of Orange County California 1998, shows a species name change from fastuosum to canidcans The genus contains 30-40 herbaceous, shrubby species.  (Bailey 838).      Excellent for sea-coast gardens, drought resistant, attracts bees.  (Sunset Editors, New Western Garden Book 1984. 277).

Text Ref:  Bailey 838; Sunset Editors, New Western Garden  Book 1984. 277.

Photo Ref:  June 7 83 # 21A; April 2 84 # 8,9; Feb-April 91 #16; April-June 03 # 9.

Identity: by R. De Ruff.  

First Found:  June 1983.

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 204

Have plant specimen.

Last edit 5/17/05.

                               March Photo                                                                   April Photo