Echium species can be perennial, annual, biennal or monocarpic and sometimes shrubby (in Macaronesian Is). They are member of the forget-me-not family (Boraginaceae). Most plants in this family have hairy leaves, limiting browsing. Some species hairs are so tough that you can consider the plant to be spiny. This family well developped in the Middle East with about 40 different species of Echium only in Turkey. Most Boraginaceae flowers are blue, blue-purple or claret coloured. Several are really handsome and easy to grow from seeds. One shrubby Lithospermum is common in Cyprus scrubs. It is shrubby with white flowers fading pink when old. See ( shrubs )

Echium & Allieds   1   2   Index