Alkanet, Spanish Bugloss, Dyer's Bugloss
Alkanna lehmannii

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

A perennial plant. It grows 20 cm high and 25 cm across. It is spreading and almost lies along the ground. It has a woody base and many leaves near the base. It has rather prickly hairy leaves. The leaves are narrow or sword shaped. The lower leaves have stalks but the upper leaves do not have stalks and clasp the stem. These have heart shaped bases. The flowers are bright blue. They are 6-8 mm across and produced on branched stalks. The lower flowers have large leaf-like bracts.

There are about 30 Alkanna species. A red dye is extracted from its roots.

Where it is found

It grows on soils near the seaside and calcareous soils. It prefers a well drained loamy soil. It dislikes acid soils. Once established it is very drought tolerant and can survive in hot dry places. Plants can survive temperatures down to about -10°C.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Europe, France, Greece, Mediterranean, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten as a vegetable. A red colouring from the roots is used as a food colouring. This is used to colour cheeses and some wines.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed, division or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Alkanna tuberculata (Forssk.) Meikle.; Alkanna tinctoria L; Anchusa tinctoria (L.) L.; Lithospermum tinctorum;