Lang zi cao
Anchusa ovata

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 10-40 cm high. The stems branch from the base. The leaves near the base have leaf stalks. They are narrowly oval and 4-14 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The edges are wavy and have teeth. The flowers are blue to purple. The fruit are kidney shaped nutlets 3-4 mm long by 2 mm wide. The seeds are brown.

There are about 25-35 Anchusa species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on hillsides, in marshes and field margins in China. Melbourne Botanical gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Australia, Central Asia, China, Himalayas, N India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Siberia, SW Asia, SE Europe, Tajikistan, Tibet, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, NE Africa

How it is used for food

The seeds contain an edible oil.

Edible parts

Seeds, seeds - oil

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Anchusa orientalis (Linnaeus) Reichenbach; Lycopsis arvensis Linnaeus subsp. orientalis (Linnaeus) Kuntze; Lycopsis orientalis Linnaeus.