Young self seeded giant bugloss.
Top view.
Echium pininana commonly known as giant bugloss or Tree echium, was introduced as a ornamental plant from the Canary Islands. It has a very vertical and upright structure, much like a juvinile Pseudopanax Ferox, only 'fluffy'. The down side of these plants is that they spread very rapidly, in the New Zealand, south Island climate. They also have a very prickly fur along the stems. These photos were taken in Akaroa, New Zealand.