Echium is a genus of approximately 70 species and several subspecies of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae. Species of Echium are native to North Africa, mainland Europe to Central Asia, and the Macaronesian islands where the genus reaches its maximum diversity. 29 species of Echium are endemic to the Canary, Madeira, and Cape Verde archipelagos. The continental species are herbaceous, whereas all but two of the endemic species of the Macaronesian islands are woody perennial shrubs. Etymology The Latin genus name echium comes from the Greek echion referring to Echium plantagineum and itself deriving from echis "viper"; the Greek term dates to Dioscorides who noted a resemblance between the shape of the nutlets to a viper's head. The genus Echium was published by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. Cultivation and uses Many species are used as ornamental and garden plants and may be found in suitable climates throughout the world. In Crete Echium italicum is called pateroi (πάτεροι) or voidoglosses (βοϊδόγλωσσες) and its tender shoots are eaten boiled or steamed. Echium species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Coleophora onosmella and orange swift. Echium seed oil The seed oil from Echium plantagineum contains high levels of alpha linolenic acid (ALA), gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and stearidonic acid (SDA), making it valuable in cosmetic and skin care applications, with further potential as a functional food, as an alternative to fish oils. However, despite its high ALA content, echium seed oil does not increase docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels. Invasiveness Some species have been widely naturalized in Mediterranean climates, including South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and parts of South America and the United States. For example, Echium plantagineum has become a major invasive species in Australia. Species Echium acanthocarpum Svent. Echium aculeatum Poir. Echium albicans Lag. & Rodr. Echium amoenum Fisch. & C.A.Mey Echium anchusoides Bacch., Brullo & Selvi Echium angustifolium Lam. Echium arenarium Guss. Echium asperrimum Lam. Echium auberianum Webb & Berthel. Echium bethencourtii Santos. Echium biebersteinii Lacaita. Echium boissieri Steud. Echium bonnetii Coincy. Echium brevirame Sprague & Hutch. Echium callithyrsum Webb ex Bolle. Echium candicans L.f. Echium canum Emb. & Maire Echium clandestinum Pomel Echium creticum L. Echium decaisnei Webb & Berthel. Echium flavum Desf. Echium gaditanum Boiss. Echium giganteum L.f. Echium glomeratum Poir. Echium handiense Svent. Echium hierrense Webb ex Bolle Echium horridum Batt. Echium humile Desf. Echium hypertropicum