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There are about 30 species in Europe. Echium is a biennial herb of the borage family. It grows quickly, competing well with weeds to between 30 and...
Continued Below Added: 21st Aug 2005 by Diane Earl
Unique Id: 58918 |
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Continued from above
90 cm. Flowering occurs between June and October. The numerous flowers are arranged in a spike and are purple to violet-blue, funnel-shaped. It likes warm dry stony soils on open sites. There has been an increase in echium because it contains significant amounts of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), and also a rarer stearidonic acid (SdA), which is important as a health food and cosmetic component. The oils, -previously obtained from other sources, have been used for many years in food supplement. The seed oil is used in cosmetic products because of its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory action. Currently Echium is only grown as pilot studies for industrial purposes in the UK. The area under production on set-aside land was around 200 (ha) in 2000.
Subjects: Biology, Science, Geography
Key Stages: Foundation, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS4+ Learning Groups: Teachers, Parents, Pupils, Others |
