Common Name: Alkanet

General Information

Anchusa officinalis is an erect biennial, or more commonly perennial, plant that cam grow 40 - 100cm tall[]. The stem usually forms branches towards the top[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for food, medicina and a dye. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens.
Grown in gardens, the plant has escaped from cultivation and has become naturalized in many areas, especially in northern America, where it is considered to be invasive.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Europe - Denmark and Sweden, south to Spain; east to Ukraine and Greece and into Turkey.

Habitat

Roadsides, pastures and waste ground, preferring warmer areas[, ]. Weedy places, kitchen gardens near roadsides, field edges, exposed cliffs in forests and steppe zones[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Biennial/Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils, preferring a sunny position[]. Prefers a fertile well-drained soil[].
The flowers are a rich source of nectar and are very attractive to bees[].
The dry leaves emit a rich musky fragrance, rather like wild strawberry leaves drying.

Edible Uses

Leaves and young shoots - cooked[, , ]. Used like spinach[, ].

Flowers - cooked or used as a garnish[].

The red dye obtained from the roots can be used to colour oils and fats[].

Medicinal

All parts of the plant are demulcent and expectorant[]. They are used externally to treat cuts, bruises and phlebitis and internally to treat coughs and bronchial catarrh[].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[]. It is used in the treatment of stomach and duodenal ulcers[].

Other Uses

A red dye is obtained from the roots[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in pots of sandy soil[]. An overnight drop in temperature helps germination[]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 4 weeks at 21°c[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
The seed can also be sown in an outdoor seed bed during July, transplanting the plants to their final positions during early autumn[]. These plants will grow larger and flower earlier than those sown in spring.