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Useful Temperate Plants

Anchusa arvensis

(L.) M.Bieb.

Boraginaceae

+ Synonyms

Buglossites arvensis (L.) Bubani

Echioides arvensis Poir. ex Steud.

Lycopsis arvensis L.

Common Name: Bugloss

Anchusa arvensis
Flower and leaves
Photograph by: Stefan.lefnaer
Creative Commons License

General Information

Anchusa arvensis is an erect annual to biennial plant growing 10 - 50cm tall, with a robust stem tha can be branched or unbranched[
17
Title
Flora of the British Isles.
Publication
 
Author
Clapham, Tutin and Warburg.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Year
1962
ISBN
-
Description
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
,
74
Title
Flora of the USSR.
Publication
 
Author
Komarov. V. L.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Israel Program for Scientific Translation
Year
1968
ISBN
-
Description
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The plant has potential for use as a medicine and cosmetic.
Anchusa arvensis is considered to be an invasive weed n parts of N. America.

Known Hazards

The rough hairs of Bugloss have irritant properties[
289
Title
The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
].

Botanical References

17
Title
Flora of the British Isles.
Publication
 
Author
Clapham, Tutin and Warburg.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Year
1962
ISBN
-
Description
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

Range

Europe - Norway to Spain, east to Russia, Ukraine and Greece; W. Asia - Armenia.

Habitat

Light, sandy and chalky soils in arable fields, sandy heaths and near the sea[
17
Title
Flora of the British Isles.
Publication
 
Author
Clapham, Tutin and Warburg.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Year
1962
ISBN
-
Description
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
]. Fields, kitchen gardens, wastelands, roadsides, etc[
74
Title
Flora of the USSR.
Publication
 
Author
Komarov. V. L.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Israel Program for Scientific Translation
Year
1968
ISBN
-
Description
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Properties

Weed PotentialYes
Medicinal Rating *
Other Uses Rating *
HabitAnnual/Biennial
Height0.30 m
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details


Requires a sunny position in a light to medium well-drained soil. Thrives on moderately moist sandy and gravelly soils with moderate to low calcium content[
289
Title
The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
].
The flowers on the bugloss plants are noted for being attractive to a wide range of wildlife, particularly bees and other insects[
289
Title
The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Bugloss can be useful for both cosmetic and medicinal uses although the medicinal uses have not yet been fully exploited and confirmed[
289
Title
The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
]. It is thought that Anchusa arvensis can be used as a direct action anticoagulant, it is proven to show 90-95% inhibition of the transformation of fibrinogen to fibrin[
289
Title
The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
].

Other Uses

Bugloss can be useful for both cosmetic and medicinal uses although the medicinal uses have not yet been fully exploited and confirmed[
289
Title
The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
].

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ in the autumn or spring. If seed is in short supply, then sow it in spring in pots of sandy soil[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. An overnight drop in temperature helps germination[
133
Title
Growing from Seed. Volume 1.
Publication
 
Author
Rice. G. (Editor)
Publisher
Thompson and Morgan.
Year
1987
ISBN
-
Description
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.
]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 4 weeks at 21°c[
133
Title
Growing from Seed. Volume 1.
Publication
 
Author
Rice. G. (Editor)
Publisher
Thompson and Morgan.
Year
1987
ISBN
-
Description
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.
]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the late spring.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-11-22. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Anchusa+arvensis>

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