Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 22, 2026

Echium stenosiphon

Echium stenosiphon is a plant species of the family Boraginaceae. The species is endemic to Cape Verde. Its local name is língua-de-vaca, a name that may also refer to the related species Echium vulcanorum and Echium hypertropicum. The plant is used in traditional medicinal for a cough syrup.

Last revised
Jul 22, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
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Citations
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Source
Wikipedia ↗
Echium stenosiphon
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Boraginales
Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Echium
Species:
E. stenosiphon
Binomial name
Echium stenosiphon
Webb, 1849

Echium stenosiphon is a plant species of the family Boraginaceae. The species is endemic to Cape Verde.12 Its local name is língua-de-vaca (cow tongue), a name that may also refer to the related species Echium vulcanorum and Echium hypertropicum.3 The plant is used in traditional medicinal for a cough syrup.4

Distribution and ecology

Echium stenosiphon occurs in the Barlavento islands of Santo Antão, São Nicolau, São Vicente and Santa Luzia.1 It mainly occurs in the subhumid and humid zones, but has also been reported from the arid zone on São Vicente.2

Flowers of E. stenosiphon at Monte Verde. source ↗

Subspecies

The following subspecies are recognised:5

  • Echium stenosiphon subsp. glabrescens
  • Echium stenosiphon subsp. lindbergii
  • Echium stenosiphon subsp. stenosiphon
References

References

  1. Oromí, Martín, Zurita & Cabrera, 2005 : Lista preliminar de especies silvestres de Cabo Verde: Hongos, Plantas y Animales Terrestres. Gobierno de Canarias, Consejería de Medio Ambiente y Ordenación Territorial, p. 41
  2. Romeiras, Maria M.; Cotrim, Helena C.; Duarte, Maria C.; Pais, Maria S. (2007). "Genetic diversity of three endangered species of Echium L. (Boraginaceae) endemic to Cape Verde Islands". Biodiversity and Conservation. 16. Springer: 547–566. doi:10.1007/s10531-006-6734-0.
  3. Plantas endémicas e arvores indígenas de Cabo Verde
  4. Gomes, Alda Roque; Vasconcelos, Teresa; Almeida, Helena Guimarães de (31 October 2008). "Plantas na medicina tradicional de Cabo Verde" [Traditional Medicinal Plants in Cape Verde] (PDF) (in Portuguese). Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterapêuticas nos Trópicos, IICT/CCCM. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  5. Echium stenosiphon, NCBI taxonomy database, accessed 25 January 2019
Further reading

Further reading