Alkanet, Bugloss, Anchu
Anchusa officinalis
Family: Boraginaceae
What it is like
A medium sized herb. It is rough and bristly and keeps growing from year to year. The stems are erect and branched. The leaves are long and sword shaped. They are 10-20 mm wide. The lower leaves have stalks. The flowers are bluish-red or violet. They have a white centre. They are 7-15 mm across. They are in long coiled cymes. The fruit are cone shaped small nuts.
There are about 25-35 Anchusa species.
Where it is found
A temperate plant. It grows on the banks and roadsides. It is resistant to drought and frost.
Countries/locations it is found in
Albania, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Britain, China, Czech Republic, Estonia, Europe (country/location of origin), France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Mediterranean, Poland, Scandinavia, South America, Sweden, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye
How it is used for food
The boiled leaves are used as a substitute for cabbage. The young shoots are eaten in soup and salad. A conserve is made out of the flowers. They are also used as a vegetable. The roots have been used as a red food colouring.
Edible parts
Flowers, leaves, roots - colouring, vegetable
How it is grown
The plant can be grown by division or root cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Imikas, Mesilill, Pilat lekarsky, Tongues