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This looks more or less like the the ordinary E. vulgare but more purple in colour. It is quite common on the continent and I find it easily on derelict sites near the sea in Mediterranean areas. There is interest from the Health food industry in the fatty acid content of the seeds of this plant but in contrast the Australian stock breeders call it Paterson's Curse and regard it as a weed because of the poisonous alkaloids in the leaves which could cause liver damage if eaten in quantity by cattle or horses. In the British Isles it this strictly a casual in Southern Britain only although quite common on the nature reserve in St Ouens, Jersey where we found it. The plants we saw were more sparsely flowered than a typical E. vulgare but it is a very attractive wild flower.
St Ouens, Jersey, 21st June 2004
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Amended on January 24th 2005