Bugloss
Anchusa arvensis

A native annual or biennial of Europe and Asia, Bugloss is distinguished by its bristly leaves, tiny, five-petalled bright blue flowers with a white throat, and its dense scorpioid inflorescence. The lower leaves are stalked and are attached to a swollen bulbous base, whilst the smaller upper leaves are unstalked and clasp the stem. Flowering occurs during May to September. It thrives on light sandy and chalky soils in arable fields, also in sandy heaths, especially near the sea. Each flower is followed by four rough-surfaced nutlets.