Onosma echioides aka Onosma

Onosma echioides is a small perennial in the Boraginaceae family. Its native range runs from Sicily to the Balkan Peninsula. Plants For A Future also lists mainland Italy, Albania, Croatia, and European Turkey. It grows in temperate regions and is not native to Britain or Ireland. In the wild, it grows on limestone slopes and rocks. It also roots in cracks in cliffs and rock faces. Records place it up to 5,249 feet [1,600 metres] above sea level.

The plant reaches about 1 foot [0.3 metres] in height. Bristles cover its stems and leaves and can irritate skin. This makes skin contact a concern when handling the plant. Flowers appear from June to August. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the blooms. The supplied species evidence does not describe flower colour or fruit. It also gives no mature spread or detailed leaf shape.

Grow this species in full sun with good soil drainage. It does not grow in shade. A deep, fairly rich sandy loam suits it best. It also accepts sandy and loamy soils more broadly. Soil may be mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline. Dry or moist soil can suit it when drainage stays good. Once established, it can cope with drought and hot, dry spells. Wet winters and wet summers do not suit it. Plants For A Future reports hardiness to about −15°C. It lists USDA zones 6–9.

Its small size suits rock gardens and cracks in walls. Plants For A Future recommends crevices as planting sites. It also lists beds and south- or west-facing walls. These uses fit its wild habitat among rocks and cliffs. The source values it as an ornamental garden plant. It reports no weed potential. The supplied evidence names no pests or diseases. Its dislike of wet conditions remains an important growing limit.

No edible uses are known in the supplied evidence. Plants For A Future gives it an edibility score of zero. The same source records medicinal uses for leaves, flowers, and roots. These include purgative use and external treatment of skin eruptions. Such records do not establish safe or effective treatment. The root also supplies a red dye used instead of alkanna. Skin irritation from the bristles is the stated handling hazard.