Practical
Plants

Anchusa azurea

Anchusa

a perennial member of the Anchusa genus in the family Boraginaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Anchusa
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.5 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Flowers - raw. An excellent and decorative addition to the salad bowl, or used as a garnish[5]. The tender young leaves and young flowering shoots can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable[9].

Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The whole plant is antitussive, depurative, diaphoretic and diuretic[9]. It is harvested when in flower and dried for later use. The dried and powdered herb is used as a poultice to treat inflammations[9]. Use internally with caution, the plant contains the alkaloid cynoglossine which can have a paralyzing effect[9].

Product or use
Antitussive
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Poultice

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A red dye is obtained from the root[9]. This was at one time used as a basis for some cosmetics[9].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
Europe - Caucasus. An occasional garden escape in Britain[4].
Habitat
Sides of arable fields, waste places, roadsides and steppes on stony hills[8][6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in pots of sandy soil[7]. An overnight drop in temperature helps germination[3]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 4 weeks at 21°c[3]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in early spring[7]. Root cuttings in autumn or early winter. Late winter is best[7].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most soils, preferring a sunny position[1][2]. Prefers a fertile well-drained soil[2]. Tolerates heavy clay[7]. Requires a deep well-drained soil[6]. Established plants tolerate drought[6]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[6]. The flowers are a good source of food for bees[1]. Many named forms have been selected for their ornamental value[6]. The plants tend to be short-lived perennials but they can be propagated by means of root cuttings[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Polunin. O. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-19-217626-9

    ↩

  9. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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