Echium pininana
Tower of jewels, Tower Of Jewels
(c) Jon Sullivan, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Echium pininana (Tower of jewels) is a non-native California shrub in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by . Distinguished by massive height, unbranched monocarpic habit, and huge cylindrical inflorescence.
Tower of jewels is a naturalized shrub found in southern North Coast and central Central Coast regions, sporadic in disturbed areas and steep slopes at elevations below 240 meters. Flowering from May to August, this striking plant produces blue flowers with a corolla limb 10 to 13 millimeters in diameter arranged in dense, elongated cylindrical inflorescences over 100 centimeters tall. Growing as a short-lived, once-flowering shrub 2 to 3 meters tall with generally unbranched stems, it develops an impressive stature. Its leaves form a basal rosette of 25 to 50 centimeters, with numerous cauline leaves 10 to 30 centimeters long, lanceolate to widely lance-ovate and sparse-bristly with bulbous-based hairs. The fruit develops as a somewhat brown, prickly structure, adding to the plant's dramatic architectural presence.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species. Distinguished by massive height, unbranched monocarpic habit, and huge cylindrical inflorescence.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, steep slopes
Elevation: < 240 m
California counties: San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Monterey
Outside California: native to Canary Islands
Bloom period
Echium pininana blooms May-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Phacelia: Echium grows as a woody shrub; Phacelia is herbaceous (soft-stemmed) and much smaller.; vs Salvia: Echium flowers are lopsided but tubular; Salvia has distinctly 2-lipped mint-family flowers.; vs Euphorbia: Echium has blue-purple tubular flowers; Euphorbia has tiny flowers with milky sap.; vs Lupinus: Echium has tubular lopsided flowers; Lupinus has pea-shaped flowers with banner petal.; vs Veronica: Echium forms tall tower-like spikes; Veronica has small 4-lobed flowers in loose clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Echium pininana native to California?
No. Echium pininana is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Echium pininana bloom?
Echium pininana blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Echium pininana grow?
Echium pininana occurs in San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Monterey, at elevations of < 240 m.
What plant family does Echium pininana belong to?
Echium pininana is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Echium.
What habitat does Echium pininana grow in?
Echium pininana grows in Disturbed areas, steep slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.