Alkanna tinctoria

Alkanna tinctoria, commonly known as Alkanet, is a perennial.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Wood and Bark 3.3 Leaves 3.4 Flowers and Fruit 3.5 Root System 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance 8 Varities and Cultivars 9 Poisonousness 10 Pests and Diseases 11 Man and Alkanna tinctoria 11.1 History 11.2 Alkanna tinctoria in art 11.3 Symbolism 11.4 Superstition 12 See also 13 References 13.1 Literature 13.2 Footnotes 14 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Alkanna tinctoria was already described and the name validly published by Carl Linnaeus. It was not until 1824, however, that Ignaz Friedrich Tausch reclassified it into todays valid botanical systematics.

[edit] Taxonomy

The Alkanet is a species in the genus Alkanna which contains 30 species and belongs to the family of the Boraginaceae (Borage Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

Alkanna tinctoria is a decidious plant with simple leaves. The leaves are arranged opposite one another. They have entire margins.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are arranged in cincinni.

The fruits are schizocarps.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

Alkanna tinctoria is native to France, the Apennine Peninsula, eastern Central Europe, the Balkan Peninsula, Romania and northwest Africa.

[edit] Cultivation

The Alkanet prefers a sunny site. It grows best in sand and sandy-gritty soil that is dry to moderately moist.

[edit] Uses

Alkanna tinctoria is used medicinally.

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

Alkanna tinctoria is poisonous.

 Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

[edit] Man and Alkanna tinctoria

[edit] History

[edit] Alkanna tinctoria in art

[edit] Symbolism

[edit] Superstition

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• efloras.org

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Alkanna tinctoria in the

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Alkanna tinctoriafr:Alkanna tinctoria