Common Name:

General Information

Echium stenosiphon is a little-branched, perennial plant with stems that are more or less woody. It can grow up to 1.2 metres tall[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local medicinal use.
Although it has not been evaluated by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the plant is considered vulnerable and measures to conserve it are long overdue. Clearing for agriculture is a major threat[].

Known Hazards

No specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, but many members of this plant family (Boraginaceae) are known to contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids. These alkaloids have a cumulative effect upon the body and, unless concentrations in a plant are high, occasional use is generally completely safe. They are derived from amino acids including ornithine. Many pyrrolizidine alkaloids have pronounced hepatic toxicity, but the lungs and other organs may be affected as well. Mutagenic and carcinogenic activities of pyrrolizidine alkaloids have also been reported[].

Botanical References

Range

Africa - Cape Verde

Habitat

Rocky escarpments and fallow fields from sea-level up to 1,250 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is used to prepare a drink to cure colds[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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