Additional notes (click to expand)

Medicinal

Culpeper 1650 "Cold and dry, binding, good for old ulcers"
Culpeper, Nicholas. (1650). A Physical Directory . London, Peter Cole.

Other use

Tannin, dyestuff

In the mid-nineteenth century the young leaves were eaten as a vegetable in parts of France and Germany
Sturtevant, EL. (1919). Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications Inc.

A red dye can be extracted from the roots and is used as a food colouring
Plants for a Future (2010) (http://www.pfaf.org/)

Toxicity

Bristles can cause skin irritation.
www.rhs.org.uk

Geographical distribution

  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Turkey
  • Europe, Eastern Europe
  • Europe, Middle Europe
  • Europe, Northern Europe, Denmark
  • Europe, Northern Europe, Sweden
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe

Podcast

Anchusa officinalis L.

Family: BORAGINACEAE
Genus: Anchusa
Species: officinalis L.
Common names: Alkanet; Oxtongue
Pharmacopoeia Londinensis name: Anchusa
Distribution summary: Europe
Habit: Short-lived Perennial
Hardiness: H5 - Hardy; cold winter
Habitat: Roadsides, wasteland & cultivated land
Garden status: Currently grown
Garden location: Pharmacopoeia Londinensis 1618 'Roots' (HSE 3)
Flowering months: June, July, August, September, October
Reason for growing: Medicinal


Back to List