Anchusa officinalis

Anchusa officinalis, 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 Anchusa officinalis 11.1 History 11.2 Anchusa officinalis 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

Anchusa officinalis was described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus. The name is considered as validly published.

[edit] Taxonomy

The Alkanet is a species in the genus Anchusa (bugloss) which contains 35 species and belongs to the family of the Boraginaceae (Borage Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The perennials grow to a height of approximately 0,7 meters.

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

Anchusa officinalis is a decidious plant with simple leaves. The leaves are arranged opposite one another. They are lanceolate.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are salverform and blue. The plants bloom from May to September. The flowers are arranged in cincinni.

The fruits are schizocarps.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

Anchusa officinalis is native to Europe, with the exception of the British Isles and to Turkey.

[edit] Cultivation

The Alkanet prefers a sunny site and can withstand temperatures down to -28,2º C. It grows best in pebbly, loamy soil, sandy clay soil that is moist.

[edit] Uses

Anchusa officinalis is used medicinally.

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

Anchusa officinalis is poisonous.

 Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

[edit] Man and Anchusa officinalis

[edit] History

[edit] Anchusa officinalis 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 Anchusa officinalis in the

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Anchusa officinalisfr:Anchusa officinalis