Analysis of herbarium material of Echium vulgare L. occurring in eastern North America yielded evidence against the existence of the two distinct varieties (or species) recognized in various floristic and revisionary treatments. Rather, the E. vulgare complex should be regarded as one polymorphic species with considerable random variation and numerous intergrading intermediates. Echium vulgare is much more common in eastern than western North America and occurs predominantly in limestone regions. In the East, it probably became established as a “weed” in the early to mid-nineteenth century.