Can anyone tell me where the purple flower called "pattisons curse" or Salvation jane got its name from. thanx

In western australia it is considered a weed and called "pattersons curse" but in other states of australia its know as salvation jane because live stock can eat it although im told it provides very little nutrients





im curious to see if anyone knows the origins of the names

Can anyone tell me where the purple flower called "pattisons curse" or Salvation jane got its name from. thanx
Patterson's Curse or Paterson's Curse (Echium plantagineum) is an invasive annual plant native to the area surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, but best known in Australia, where it is also known as Salvation Jane (particularly in South Australia). Other names are Blueweed, Lady Campbell Weed or Riverina Bluebell.





In the 1880s it was introduced to Australia, probably both as an accidental contaminate of pasture seed and as an ornamental plant. It is said that the name derives from the bitter experience of the Paterson or Patterson family, early settlers of the country near Albury. They had the first seeds brought from Europe to beautify their garden, and then could only watch helplessly as the weed infested previously productive pastures for many miles around. more at link below.