How did Paterson's Curse get its name?

Answer 1

Echium plantagineum has become an invasive species in Australia, where it is also known as Patterson's Curse, Paterson's Curse or Salvation Jane (particularly in South Australia). Other names are Blueweed, Lady Campbell Weed or Riverina Bluebell.

The name Salvation Jane comes from South Australia. In times of drought, many of the states grazing pastures died. Due to its drought hardiness, Echium was a source of food to the grazing animals in the state, hence the name Salvation Jane.

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 both names for the plant derive from Jane Paterson or Patterson, an early settler of the country near Albury. She brought the first seeds from Europe to beautify a garden, and then could only watch helplessly as the weed infested previously productive pastures for many miles around.

Patterson's Curse is now a dominant pasture weed through much of New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania and also infests native grasslands, heathlands and woodlands. (Wikipedia)

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Alfred Andrew Patterson was an engineer/builder who emigrated from Sweden to work on a hydroelectric power plant in the 1800s (I'm not sure which plant or plants). By personal interest, he was also a botanist. When farmers were importing the plant for animal fodder he advised that it would grow uncontrolled and become a pest. I don't know whether the name "Patterson's Curse" was given at the time of the advice or when it was proven to be correct.

Also known as Salvation Jane - when farmers imported it in great quantities for animal fodder.